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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (FEBRUARY 24TH 2004) – Small building contractors were praised Tuesday for partnering with the various stakeholders in ensuring that low income workers are provided with affordable homes.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the National Housing Corporation (NHC) during which three small building contractors, Basil Levine, Elroy Carty and Leslie Henville, signed the relevant agreements for construction of 15 homes at Rawlins Housing Development in St. Paul’s, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said that without the contractors the programme of constructing 400 homes around St. Kitts would not be successful.
He said that without the clear cooperation and understanding of the contractors, the National Housing Corporation “Super-low homes” programme would not have reached the stage it is today and lauded the small builders for their contribution to keep the cost of the houses affordable.
Dr. Douglas said the young ladies on the industrial estates, the hotel workers, store attendants, domestic servants, sugar industry employees and the ordinary people, are poor for no reason of their own, but because of their situation and the historical background of the development of these islands.
“We have emphasised at all times that though poor, they however have the right to aspire to an improved quality of life,” reiterated Prime Minister Douglas, who emphasised that his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has identified housing as one of the main vehicles for the empowerment of the ordinary man and woman in this country.
In saluting all those who have been involved in the partnership of making the housing programme successful, Dr. Douglas pointed out that Government was able to fashion a housing programme for the ordinary people with very limited resources and meager salaries.
“It’s a programme that allows them to take care of their own living standards, their own disposable income, take care of their daily needs and the needs of their children and their families and we have come up with a home which is a good start in bringing them out of poverty,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Six.
He called on the contractors to discuss problems when they arise with the Managing Director of the National Housing Corporation, Mr. Henry Mills and other management officials.
“Sit down with them and discuss these issues. Don’t allow issues which are surmountable to be issues to distract you from what you have to do in the continued partnership in the development of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
The three contractors, Basil Levine, Elroy Carty and Leslie Henville, will each build five homes. |
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