Garissa Jua Kali artisans asked to grab business opportunities in affordable housing project

The affordable housing project under the National government has finally started in Garissa with Jua Kali artisans being sensitized on available opportunities.

The national government seeks to construct 408 housing units of various categories.

The project that started on June 17th will run for one and a half years. 

During Wednesday's consultative meeting with artisans, John Karanja, regional head of affordable housing in the Coast and North Eastern region, said houses valued at Sh1.1 billion will be built at the former government housing department compound in Garissa town.

“We are here to sensitise Jua Kali artisans, small-scale traders, ‘Mama Mboga’ and the general public on the entire project starting from its conception to when it will be completed,” he said.

Karanja said the engagement framework is well thought out and slightly different, adding that the government has made a deliberate effort to ensure whatever the contractor needs is sourced locally.

“The government extends the money through the contractor, who is then given an engagement forum through the micro and small enterprise department,” he added.

Garissa County Jua Kali Association chairman Osman Mohamed thanked the national government and elected leaders for recognising their role in the affordable housing project.

“We as the Jua Kali sector have been allowed to bring materials. This project will uplift our lives in a big way. It is one way of putting money in the pockets of small-scale traders. So we want to thank the President for coming up with this project,” he said.

Osman lauded Garissa Township MP Mohamed Dekow for taking the initiative to educate artisans. 

Bura East deputy county commissioner Thomas Bett said the government was committed to actualising an affordable housing programme as part of its bottom-up economic transformation agenda.

Bett said the huge investment would have a substantial economic impact on Garissa town and neighbouring sub-counties.

He called on Garissa residents to make enquiries and benefit from many projects rolled out by the national government.

The deputy county commissioner said all raw materials and labour will be sourced locally by the contractor.

“I would like to urge residents of Garissa to work closely with the contractor to ensure seamless implementation of the project. Your cooperation and support will see the project completed not only on time but also as per design,” he added.

The vice president of the Parklane construction company, Nislikant Ashok, assured Garissa residents that completing the project on time or even earlier would depend on their cooperation.

“I have a committed team ready to deliver the project on time or even earlier. This will, however, depend on the cooperation of the residents and sub-contracted supplies of required goods and services,” Ashok said.

So far, the artisans have been tasked with supplying fabricated doors and windows for the project.

However, they must register as groups with the Jua Kali association and acquire the necessary certification from the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority.

The officials will also educate the public on how to own the housing units.

Last week, Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed urged those with prior learning skills to register and get certification to enable them to qualify and be competitive in the job market.

He spoke at North Eastern Polytechnic while attending the Artisan Skills Assessment Registration for the Recognition of Prior Learning programme conducted by the National Industrial Training Authority.