President Ali announces infrastructure projects, housing plans for Yupukari, satellite villages
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that Government has in plan, several critical projects for Yupukari and its satellite villages of Fly Hill and Kaicumbay, Region Nine.
Spanning transportation, infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities, the projects were detailed by the President as he conducted a series of community meetings in the region over the weekend.
Some members of the audience
According to President Ali, two minibuses will soon be purchased to make transportation more accessible, to better serve the people of Yupukari and its surrounding communities.
In Fly Hill, a stronger, safer bridge will soon be upgraded from timber to a concrete structure. In addition, resources will be made to make much-needed improvements to the three-kilometre (km) road leading from the Katoka Junction.
The President also revealed that an ambulance is being planned for the Yupukari area, as some communities are located up to 70 km from the town of Lethem, creating a need for emergency transportation.
The President along with Cabinet members and regional officials at the meeting
The village of Kaicumbay also expressed interest in launching a housing scheme, which according to President Ali, will be supported by the Ministry of Housing and Water.
“We are going to expand the Housing Support and Core Homes project in Region Nine. We have to build at least 1,000 of those core homes, that is what you want, not what we are imposing,” the President said.
Water security is also being addressed, with each of the 516 households set to receive a black tank from the Government to harvest rainwater.
President Dr Irfaan Ali receives a gift of mangoes from a young villager during his visit
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI) news report, in terms of employment, more than 70 Community Support Officers (CSOs), who lost their jobs under the previous administration, have been re-engaged. Community policing members will also be integrated into the Pathway Workers Programme, ensuring they receive the financial support needed.
At the meeting, the President also disclosed that more than $450 million has been invested in infrastructure alone across the three villages, excluding social assistance programmes such as the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, COVID-19 relief, pension increases, and other subsidies.
“This is the love of this Government,” he stated.
