Housing services for citizens highlighted

Nairobi, May 29 (BNA): Bahrain attaches top priority to raising the citizens living standard within the government plans and programmes at the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to provide means of decent living for the citizens and improve their livelihood, said Housing Minister Bassim bin Yaqoub Al Hamer. Addressing the UN Human Habitat assembly in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the minister said the Kingdom is keeping up the momentum of the SDGs achievement, particularly Goal 11 in terms of making the cities and human settlements all inclusive, safer, securer and capable of sustainable progress. He said that this goals was heeded by Bahrain since the start of its debut housing development plan in the 1960s as the essential foundation for social and economic growth, and translating the principle of the eligibility to residence into major housing projects which provided thousands upon thousands of homes to the citizens. The right to a suitable home remains the pivot of sustainable development goals in Bahrain in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, he affirmed. The citizens have been the focus of development evidenced by enhanced quality services provided by the government under the government’s previous and current action plans, whereas housing services have been integrated into the Kingdom’s national policies as a strategic goal that will contribute to boosting our national economy and prosperity. The minister added that in harmony with the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness inculcated into Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, the government endeavors to avail from its resources and capabilities to satisfy the citizens’ needs, and has reviewed 78% of the SDGs executive procedures under the previous and current Government Action Plans, being top governmental priorities. The minister said Bahrain constructed three residential cities between the 1960s and the 1990s. The government also constructed tens of housing blocks in addition to the provision of more than 129,000 housing services over the last five decades that benefited 65% of the citizens an added accomplishment of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister's winning the UN Human Settlements (UN-Habitat)’s Urban Development Excellence Award 2006. The minister said that Bahrain witnessed the transformation point in 2014 thanks to issuance by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the royal order to build 40,000 housing units under the Government Action Plan 2015-2018. 25,000 new homes were built in five prototype residential towns according to the top specifications and standards to achieve Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 within the pivot of housing, according to the minister. The private sector contributed 12.5% in the provision of housing services within the previous Government Action Plan thanks to the initiatives launched by the Housing Ministry to activate the principle of public-private partnership (PPP). The private sector undertakes a pivotal role in the implementation of housing commitments under the current Government Action Plan 2019-2022 for the provision of 25,000 new housing units in addition to the government’s efforts in this regard. The minister praised the establishment of the UN-Habitat Society and the convening of its first meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, which will muster the efforts of governmental and non-governmental entities under the umbrella of the UN Habitat, to boost the sustainable urban development sector. He said this major international gathering provides the opportunity to discuss the agenda of new urbanization and to explore the progress in sustainable development goals (SDGs) in dealing with the challenges and emerging opportunities at the global level.