By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 11 May 2013:
Speaking at a late press conference held last night, Friday, after the tragic collapse of a 1920’s-30’s building in the Belkhair district of Tripoli, Housing and Utilities Minister Ali Sherief said that the government was in discussion with numerous foreign contractors to return.
With regards to the resumption of the many stalled housing projects, Minister Sherief revealed that one Chinese company had returned to Libya and that discussions were ongoing with numerous other construction companies including from Turkey and Brazil.
However, he added that it would probably take about one month for the formalities to be completed and that it would be another 2-3 months before they could actually commence work. This, he added, was subject to the security situation.
Sherief also reaffirmed the government’s desire to promote the private sector. Sherief said that his government had “an alternative and parallel plan for the housing and construction sector working through the banks to provide an express solution and help with filling the housing gap”.
The housing Minister also revealed that there were specific plans and projects to help provide housing for the youth, without giving any further details. [/restrict]
