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BOOYSENS Park residents had a reason to celebrate this Freedom Day with 357 families benefiting from a new housing project.

The first phase of the housing project which started in late March is valued at R13,7 million and has caused a buzz in the Jachvlate community of Ward 29.

One of the project beneficiaries Marlene Jasson said she was happy to see the project become reality after years of talks.

“It is a beacon of hope for us, to see this become a reality. Our children will grow up in safer and dignified households so we are very happy to see the progress of the project and we certainly can not wait to move into our new homes,” said Jasson.

NMBM Human Settlement Portfolio Head, Cllr Tukela Zumani, visited the site to check on the work conducted to date and said he was pleased with the progress made so far as a total of 73 slabs, 41 wall plates and 21 roof units had been completed.

MMC Zumani was joined by Ward 29 Councillor, Luvuyo Nomnqa. 

The expected completion date for the first 83 houses under construction is 30 June 2023.

Addressing the residents, MMC Zumani said: “This marks the beginning of a new chapter for this community and we are ecstatic to see this project become a reality. We have been here before to give updates on when we would start with the work. Eight contractors are on site and a total of 225 beneficiaries have been approved so far. We are trusting you to work with us to ensure the project runs smoothly until we complete it and you occupy your houses.”

“Human settlement work entails more than just building houses, it is an important job because it seeks to improve the living conditions of our residents entirely. When we improve the way people live we often see an improvement in the communities, drug abuse, gender-based violence and gangsterism decrease and the way of thinking and doing things improves. We are well on our way to reclaim our status as a trusted housing developer after the mandate was taken away from NMBM for seven years leaving us with a backlog of housing development to be done.”

Issued by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office.