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Contact:
Julita Peter
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - The Government of Saint Lucia is continuing to
collaborate with the private sector in harnessing the private-public sector
partnership for the development of affordable housing. On Monday, Prime
Minister, Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony, joined members of his Cabinet to witness
the ground breaking ceremony that would mark the commencement of a $31 million
middle-income housing development project in La-Caye Dennery, to be undertaken
by CLICO International Life Insurance Limited.
Dr. Anthony noted new initiatives by government in recent times, such as the
development of the Programme for the Rationalization of Unplanned Development
(PROUD) and the lobbying for lower interest rates on mortgage loans, are all a
direct result of government’s effort to ensure that more Saint Lucians can own a
home, even as the demand for housing continues to escalate.
According to him, the government has indicated to private developers that it is
anxious to enter into partnership to construct homes. “The government will
facilitate by trying within its limited resources to make land available for
that purpose. It is vital that the private sector seizes the opportunities that
are available to it,” Dr. Anthony added.
74 middle-income houses will be constructed on 22-acres of land purchased from
the National Development Corporation. Chief Executive Officer and President of
CLICO, Leroy Parris, says CLICO is aware of the need for quality and affordable
housing in Saint Lucia and in the region. He added that the housing project
marks a significant milestone in the life of CLICO in Saint Lucia.
“We at CLICO consider our responsibility to identify and satisfy the needs of
policy holders and the wider society in the area of financial and related
service, and this housing project is testimony to this. We believe that
government and the private sector must work closely to achieve the quality of
society that we all desire,” Parris said.
Member of Parliament for Dennery South, Hon. Damian Greaves has welcomed this
initiative by CLICO, saying that the project will assist immensely in
transforming the community of La Caye. According to Greaves, “In many part of
Saint Lucia we suffer the malaise of squatting. We want to ensure that people in
this community would take the advantage and the opportunity of acquiring one of
these properties. I believe that this project would also lead to certain levels
of employment both, during and beyond the construction phase.”
CLICO has giving its assurance that will ensure that quality building standards
are maintained. Two model houses will be erected by the end of May. Saint Lucia
joins four other countries in the region where CLICO is currently undertaking
residential and commercial projects.
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