BEDB efforts for 4,000 new houses lauded

PROSPECTIVE house recipients have applauded the Brunei Economic Development Board's (BEDB) efforts in providing 4,000 new houses under the National Housing Scheme.

According to the tender, the construction for 4,000 new homes will be completed in a span of four years on a 415 hectare site at Mengkubau in Kampung Mentiri.

Potential house owner and government worker, Rafiaah Moktal recently moved to the capital and is currently staying at a relative's home while waiting for her new house from the government.

The 28-year-old who hails from Temburong, appreciated BEDB's efforts in creating 4,000 houses under the government housing scheme.

"I applied for a house last year. Having a house in the capital will make commuting to work easier in the future as it is closer to my workplace," said the government worker.

A house owner, Abdul Latif Hj Ismail said that he was happy to hear BEDB's efforts to accomplish the construction of 4,000 new homes in the span of four years.

Abdul Latif applied for a house under the National Housing Scheme in 1991 during his services with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and said that he received his house only in 2006.

"I was a newly wed during my time in the RBAF when I applied for the house. But I only received my house in late 2006. By then, me and my wife had nine children," said Abdul Latif.

Now running his own business, Abdul Latif hopes that future home owners will not have to face long waits for their new homes.

Single mother Norshratinah, 31, said that she was happy to hear about the initiative by BEDB.

Still under the waiting list for a new home, the mother of four, said that having her own house will ease the burden of her mother as she was currently using her apartment.

"I applied on March 9, 1996 and since then I have been waiting," said the government primary school teacher.

"After my divorce, the authorities informed me that my status did not meet the demands to have a house. The priority list for me to receive a house was dropped," said Norshratinah. She added that she has been contacting the authorities and is waiting for a response until now.

In previous reports, the BEDB announced that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to the implementation of a pilot scheme to build 2,000 houses under the National Housing Scheme in the period of 24 months.

The recent construction of 4,000 more houses is the second project BEDB is assigned to under the National Housing Scheme. The Brunei Times