Doway homes cost R300,000 each |08 October 2005

That’s why the figure was higher than the R271,000 spent on Grand Anse Mahe’s Dauban Housing Estate 24 units which were opened last week.

Engineers explained this to Nation after the ceremony in which the Minister for Land Use and Habitat, Joel Morgan, and the District Administrator Guilly Anacoura unveiled the plaque and declared the estate open.

The officials said also that although the project officially started in November 2002, work got under way in earnest in January 2003 due to difficulties with access.

“I feel great satisfaction knowing that our government under the responsibility of President James Michel is keeping his promises with his nation despite some people saying otherwise” Minister Morgan said.

“Our government has spent at least R331,000 on each family to build a house for them,” he said, declaring the R331,000 as having been well spent for the benefit of Seychellois, to provide them with a comfortable home.

“You have noticed that there are those who spend their time trying to discourage us in our work, saying we only build houses on paper and we do not deliver on our promises, but I want to reassure you and other Seychellois that we will not be discouraged and we are even more determined to do whatever is possible for those who need us,” the minister said.

“Our work and its results are here before you for you to see for yourselves,” he said.

He said that that the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) Government through its housing programme guarantees that every Seychellois has a roof over their head which contributes in creating a favourable condition for the good development of children.

He nevertheless cautioned against social ills saying:

“Government can build houses, but if we cannot live peacefully among our parents and relatives our children will not feel safe and this may affect their performance at school level. We need to make sure there is the strong foundation in our home despite the bad influences in society, so that our children may feel secure.

“Let me at this point advise you to protect your children from drug abuse and alcohol, and also Aids. These are elements which are affecting our community today. Do not let the drug traffickers victimise your children,” he said.