Joint development programme to mark World Habitat Day - Minister Ferial Ashraff

"UNDER the World Habitat Day programme it was able to carry out a joint development programme by two different governments and local government institutions, in providing infrastructure facilities to the residents of Colombo condominium housing properties which earlier engaged individually in providing common amenities," said Minister of Housing and Construction Industry, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development, Mrs. Ferial Ashraff on the occasion of commencement of the programme of implementation, improvement & renovation of housing schemes in Colombo to mark the World Habitat Day 2005 at Manning Town recently.

The World Habitat Day falls today and all activities will be conducted under the theme of "Millennium Development Goals and the City". To mark this event islandwide programmes are being implemented during the habitat week from September 26 to October 3.

Accordingly the integrated development programme launched in the Colombo housing schemes by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) in order to renovate the housing schemes and improve common amenities such as access roads, water supply, garbage disposal etc.

Minister Ferial Ashraff said "The housing schemes constructed in Colombo by government institutions such as NHDA were entrusted with the responsibilities of future maintenance of common amenities to the CMC.

But the CMC or other institutions entrusted to provide infrastructure facilities to these housing schemes were not properly engaged in providing the services.

After having discussions with the Mayor of Colombo two weeks ago, Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena agreed to carry out the maintenance work of these housing schemes with the assistance of the NHDA. In this connection the fullest co-operation of the residents is essential to make this effort a success."

Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Gunawardena said "Today is a important day to the residents of Colombo they were undergoing difficulties due to the improper maintenance of infrastructure facilities in housing schemes.