With President Irfaan Ali’s announcement of a plan to build 1,000 homes in Region 10, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Friday said that the main opposition coalition APNU+AFC will hold the government accountable for delivering on the promise.
“We will be engaging the young people and women in the construction of the homes,” Ali said during a visit to the region last Thursday. “We need the materials for the construction of these houses to come from this region. The lumber, the sawmill, block makers and carpenters will all be engaged, if you don’t have the skills, we will bring in people to train you so that employment is created for the residents here”, he added, before noting that by the end of October this year, 50 homes for young professionals will be constructed in Amelia’s Ward, Region 10.
At a news conference on Friday, Harmon called the announcement an attempt at “curry favouring” with the region, which was won by the opposition at the last elections.
Harmon said the coalition will “hold [the PPP/C’s] feet to the fire on it” for the delivery of the promises as he maintained that it is not unusual for the party to “go around the country making promises”.
He added that the reason for the need for vigilance is due to there being no specific details regarding how the homes will be allocated, whether they are lots or houses and whether it will be a given to persons already living in the region or provided for persons to move in.
He further said that the PPP/C has made similar declarations in the past and did not fulfil those promises. “It seems as if Mr. Ali is just going around making promises,” he said, while reminding that the PPP in its manifesto said that it would be allocating 50,000 house lots if it wins the elections. But Harmon said as he looks around there is nothing to show and the president continues making promises. “Since Mr. Ali has gone into office, he’s gone around the country, again making promises, promises, promises, promises. We’re looking for delivery,” Harmon said.
Harmon then added that if the government thinks that it can go into an area that is mostly dominated by opposition supporters and try to “curry favor” with the people to gain their votes, that is not going to happen. He further went on to say that the people in the region are “entitled to a life of good quality. They are entitled to houses, not only house lots. They are entitled to proper housing. This is the lives and the livelihoods of people you’re dealing with,” and that if the PPP/C wants to deliver, it must do so properly.
