Mr. Glenn Phillip (L) and Mr. Rupert Herbert
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
JUly 15, 2008 (CUOPM)
A EC$50 million low income housing programme represents the dreams and aspirations on hundreds of families in the twin-island Federation.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the homes when completed will be more than the provision of shelter for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Rather, it carries the dreams and aspirations of many here in Half Way Tree, in Old Road, Middle Island, Challengers and in the entire country for a brighter future under a caring St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government,” said Dr. Douglas, who added that the 500-homes programme is a further fulfillment of a promise made to the people to enhance the opportunities to access housing in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prime Minister Douglas reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue to respond to the demands for housing in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“We believe that it is important to empower people through the acquisition of property. In fact, this EC$50 million housing project that is starting here in Half Way Tree is designed for persons who fall into the lower-income category. The design is aimed at ensuring that homes are affordable to our people,” he said.
Dr. Douglas said that the constructing of homes by his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government is not only fulfilling the mandate that have been given by the people, but “we are also fulfilling another set of obligations under the United Nations Charter on the Right to Adequate Housing.”
“In so doing, we are ensuring that housing provides an avenue for our people to obtain land tenure, an opportunity to build the capability for collateral, the opportunity for wealth creation and the ability to live in dignity in the land of your birth,” he said.
He further stated that it is his government’s continued commitment of empowerment of generations of people to elevate themselves from the clutches of poverty, to provide an environment for their children to enhance their learning, to improve their health and encourage the kind of social and community progress that inspires greater interest in ones community and country.
“This St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration is extremely proud of its record on housing “¦.over 2000 new homes constructed by this Government since taking office in 1995. By any standard, this is a remarkable achievement, if not a revolution,” he said.