The National Housing Development Company Ltd (NHDC) signed four contracts for the construction of 746 housing units at Solitude, Quatre Cocos and Wooton, this morning, in Ebène. The project is being funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to the tune of US$ 50 million as part of its infrastructure development assistance programme.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Showkutally Soodhun; the Chief Executive Officer of the SFD, Mr Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad and his delegation; and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Fayez Meshel Altemyat.

In a statement, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the important role of the SFD as a crucial partner in fostering urban development in Mauritius, adding that the bond had been further strengthened and enhanced over the years. He noted that the new cancer hospital, which would be inaugurated later during the day, had also been funded by the SFD.

Mr Obeegadoo recalled that the project for the construction of housing units was agreed upon by the SFD in 2018, and that Ambassador Soodhun played a significant role in concluding the agreement. He indicated that 13 sites in 12 localities had been identified across the island for the construction of the 746 housing units.

He emphasised that Government was committed to ensure that the lower section of the society equally benefitted from economic development. “Housing,” he pointed out, “has been a key challenge for the Government and since 2020, it has accelerated the programme for the construction of houses.” “The support of the SFD has been determining in accomplishing this goal,” he underlined.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his most profound gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the SFD for their continued support, solidarity and friendship and in ensuring social progress of Mauritius.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of SFD indicated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had been extending financial support to Mauritius under its development cooperation since 1983. He stressed that the signature of the contract marked another milestone in the existing relations, bringing the development cooperation to a greater level.

Moreover, Mr Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad acknowledged the pressing need for affordable houses for Mauritius. He also recalled that the SFD had signed a loan agreement with Mauritius for the construction of the Rivière des Anguilles Dam, estimated at US$ 70 million. As at now, the SFD has financed seven development projects to the tune US$ 228 million in sectors such as urban development, health care, and water.