Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra and the Managing Director for NHC, Mr. Henry Mokono signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, October 12th on the Duran Farm Housing Project – Portion 528.
The signing of the MOU paves the way for the two organizations to work collaboratively to ensure that the housing scheme is realized.
A pleased, Dr. Kombra said this is the first attempt by the Department to engage in a housing scheme for its officers and the journey so far was long but worthwhile.
“I am pleased to inform all our officers that the signing of the MOU was done Wednesday, 12th October. It will pave the way for further work between the two organizations to ensure that officers who are eligible are assisted to purchase homes under the scheme,” Dr. Kombra said.
The Department expressed its interest in 2014 to the then administration of NHC however; it has taken until 2021 for real progress to be made.
“I am happy that we have achieved an important milestone with the signing of this MOU and I encourage our officers to prepare financially in order to benefit from this scheme,” he said.
A total of 100 allotments have been allocated for the Department of Education. The Teaching Service Commission will also be included in this housing scheme.
Six building companies have been engaged for officers to choose to build their house once they have met all the requirements.
So far 300 officers have expressed interest by applying to the Department of Education Housing Committee which is chaired by Deputy Secretary, Teaching and Education Standards, Mr. Walipe Wingi.
The DoE Housing Committee will continue to work with NHC to ensure the department’s desire to help its officers own homes becomes a reality.
The Committee will also come up with some criteria to assess the expressions of interests by officers.
Dr. Kombra has instructed the Housing Committee to inform the officers of the progress made and what to expect in the coming months through an internal Secretary’s Circular.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will soon be signed by the two organizations to guide them to work closely together to achieve the ultimate goal of providing affordable housing for officers in the department who are able to afford one.