SPRING CITY, Abaco ? The
Government?s housing programme continues on the island of Abaco, with
76 homes under construction in Spring City and the Ministry of Housing
offering local residents additional fully serviced lots to carry out
their own construction both in Spring City and the Central Pines
Subdivision in Marsh Harbour.

Minister of Housing the Hon.
Kenneth Russell, accompanied by a team of Ministry and Local Government
officials and staff of the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Health, Water
and Sewerage and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation toured the
Government?s housing project in Spring City over the weekend.


The Minister also toured phase II of the Central Pines Subdivision in
Marsh Harbour. Mr. Russell described the Spring City Housing
Subdivision as the continuation of a dream.

?Spring City was
an historic place and the intention was to bring Spring City back to
life, and I think looking around at not just the number of houses here,
but the quality of houses so far, it is a wonderful testament for a
city that was built here many years ago during the pine days,? he said.

Mr. Russell pointed out that
there are several models of houses being constructed in Spring City,
making it attractive to many potential dwellers. He added that the
Ministry is currently building some 76 houses in the Spring City
Subdivision and that a large number of those are nearing completion.

?We
are hoping that quite a number of them would be completed for Christmas
so that people could move in them and bring new life here to Spring
City,? he stated.

Mr. Russell pointed out that the houses are
similar in design to the ones the Ministry uses both in Nassau and
Freeport, particularly as it relates to the interior. However, he said
the construction concept calls for a wooden-framed building with
concrete floors and decorative sidings.

The Minister pointed
out that the Ministry could be moving into using the steel frames very
shortly. ?What impressed me the most is that the workmen here in Abaco
are working diligently to complete these house at top quality,? he said.


While pointing out that they are currently constructing 76 homes at
Spring City, Mr. Russell said it is his Ministry?s intention to build a
total of 100 homes there.

He explained that the other 24
homes are not under contract yet because surveyor work as relates to
putting in roads and other necessities is still outstanding. The
Minister said he expects all the homes to be completed by the first
half of next year.

The
size of the homes range from 800 to 1200 square feet with either two or
three bedrooms and are being sold at prices ranging from $50,000 to
$80,000.

The Housing Minister added that while the homes are
affordable, the Ministry and the Government are looking at different
type of construction and materials to make it even more affordable for
Bahamians.

Some 160 persons have already applied for homes in the Spring City Subdivision.


Photo 1: YARD WALK - Minister of Housing the Hon. Kenneth Russell is
pictured at one of the homes under construction in Spring City, Abaco.
The Minister said all government-constructed homes will now include
landscaping.

Photo 2: WALKABOUT - While in Abaco on November
28, Housing Minister the Hon. Kenneth Russell announced the opening of
Phase II of the Central Pines Subdivision near Marsh Harbour. He is
pictured here during a walkabout. Pictured from left are: Kevin
McIntosh, Officer in-charge of the Department of Housing, Marsh Habour;
Brensil Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Housing; Mr.
Russell; and Mr. Melvin Seymour, Acting Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Housing.

Photo 3: INSPECTING HOME - Housing
Minister the Hon. Kenneth Russell is pictured inspecting work at one of
the homes under construction in Spring City, Abaco. Pictured from left
are: Melvin Seymour, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Housing; Brensil Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of
Housing and Minister Russell.
(BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)