Mentiri - The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) 4,000 houses project in Kg Mengkabau, Mentiri when fully completed and handed over to the Ministry of Development will benefit and accommodate a total of 20,000 to 25,000 people in the area.

The project that commenced in February 2010 is expected to be completed three months ahead of schedule in November 2013.

The housing scheme will also bring socio-economic benefits to local businesses due to the influx in population to the area and the surrounding communities will also benefit from the shared public amenities brought in to serve the housing scheme.

These were stated by Mr Julian Fung, Assistant CEO, Head of Infrastructure System Development of BEDB during a media visit to the housing site recently.

He said the 4,000' houses project in Mentiri aims to expedite and meet the increasing demand for more housing for Brunei Darussalam's citizens and reduce the waiting period.

It also aims to meet the country's vision to achieve a high quality of life for its people among the top 10 nations of the world by 2035.

It is one of the largest single housing projects BEDB has undertaken in Brunei Darussalam and it is also a new record for the country's housing development projects.

The B$388 million project is currently undertaken by UEM Builders Berhad of Malaysia, who has been tasked to provide the master plan not only for 4,000 houses but also for the economic development and infrastructure in the areas. The master plan will include building a medical centre, Fire station and Police station.

The project is located on a 309-hectare site in Kg Mengkabau, Mentiri with 1,600 units of semi- detached houses and 2,400 units of terrace houses.

According to him, the housing scheme project includes infrastructure such as road systems, drainages, water supply, water reservoir, and sewerage system, electrical supply, treatment plant, telecommunications, landscaping, and land space for future developments, such as masjids, schools - primary and secondary schools, nursery and religious schools, community centre, commercial building, and more located within the housing scheme. The project will also create economic benefit and progress to the residents not only in the housing scheme but also people in Kg Mentiri areas.

The open space will make up for 11 per cent of the project area in order to provide comfortable and healthy living environment.

The company currently can complete an average of eight houses per day and 10 to 12 units per day on a good day.

Overall BEDB has built a total of 7,500 houses including 4,000 units in Mentiri, 2,000 in Kg Pandan, Kuala Belait and 1,500 in Bukit Beruang, Tutong.

The project will significantly reduce the waiting list for affordable housing besides providing a much needed boost to the local economy.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin