Housing Minister Raises Concerns About NSLD Construction in Arsenal

On Thursday morning, December 5, newly appointed Housing Minister Shakeel Mohamed made his first public appearance, assessing the construction site of the New Social Living Development (NSLD) in Arsenal. His observations were deeply concerning, leading him to describe the situation as “disturbingly unacceptable.”

Upon his visit, Minister Mohamed engaged in discussions with site managers and contractors, uncovering serious legal and structural issues regarding the ongoing construction of social housing units.

He revealed that, for the past year, construction has been carried out unlawfully.

“They have constructed buildings for social housing using taxpayers’ money, yet they did so without the necessary construction permits,” he stated.

The Minister pointed out numerous violations, noting:

“They have built various structures without implementing the required columns and reinforcements, as outlined in the initial plans. This construction has taken place in violation of the law for an entire year.”

Given these discrepancies, he expressed grave concerns about the safety and durability of the social housing units being developed.

“We do not want beneficiaries to end up with homes that could crack or collapse,” he emphasized.

In addition to addressing the structural issues, Minister Mohamed highlighted the importance of having adequate green spaces in the region.

He indicated that a meeting would be convened with contractors and officials from the New Social Living Development Ltd to address these critical concerns and ensure compliance with legal and safety standards.

Source: Le Mauricien