NHDA housing project:

Houses for former IDPs built with their labour

"The people of the North have shown the world that they can stand on their own feet and meet any challenge, by building their own houses utilizing state loans and their savings," said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa at the ceremony to hand over ownership of houses of Araviyal Nagaral Housing Project in Kilinochchi district.

This was a project carried out by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA).

Araviyal Nagaral Housing Project, comprising 50 houses, was ceremonially opened by Hambantota district MP Namal Rajapaksa.

Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon and Deputy Minister Karuna Amman also participated.

The housing project was constructed within eight months to settle 50 displaced families in the North with government grants.

It is the first housing project in the North utilizing government loans together with savings and labour from beneficiary families. Each family was given a loan of Rs 350,000 while Rs 17,500,000 was spent by the government for the entire project. Beneficiaries have spent over Rs 10,000,000 from their savings to construct their houses.

In addition, Rs 10,000,000 has been spent for side drains of roads, tube wells and sanitary facilities.

Minister Weerawansa addressing the gathering said that when he proposed this project, many were sceptical. "However, with the participation of beneficiaries and NHDA officials we were able to complete it within a very short time.

This has shown the perseverance of the Northern people and that they are prepared to stand on their feet without depending entirely on the government or other institutions."

Hambantota district MP Namal Rajapaksa addressing the gathering said peace has dawned on the people of the North similar to the other parts of the country after defeating terrorism.

"Araviyal Nagaral housing project has shown the people's power in reconstruction," he added.

NHDA new Mullaitivu district office was also ceremonially opened by Minister Weerawansa.

It has been constructed at a cost of Rs one million through World Bank funds in less than a year.