Buxton housing project on course, says contractor

The Buxton Estate Affordable Housing Project has not been stopped as has been claimed in the media, contractor Buxton Point Sales Limited has said.

In a letter to would-be Buxton homeowners, CEO Ahmed Badawy said their commitment towards delivering to them a ‘lifestyle’ is still on course.

“This is to therefore inform you that the Buxton project is ongoing, and we have to date shared with all Buxton homeowners their Sales Purchase Agreement confirming your home ownership journey at Buxton Point,” Badawy said.

On Thursday, the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee announced that it had temporarily stopped construction of the Sh6 billion Buxton Estate housing project questioning its public interest and benefits to the former Buxton estate tenants.

“Is it in the interest of the people of Mombasa that the project goes on?” posed committee chairman and Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi.

“We have resolved to stop any progress on the project until such a time when Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho honours our summons and satisfactorily answers all our questions,” Wamatangi said.

He spoke during a committee meeting with the Buxton petitioners, Mombasa county government officers, Buxton Point Sales Limited officials and members of the public at the Mombasa county assembly.

According to Parliamentary procedures, a committee can only stop a project if it prepares a report to that effect and the same is adopted by the whole House.

A committee in a field trip can however request a project be suspended pending further interrogation but such a request is not binding. It is only after the whole House adopts a report that the recommendations are binding. 

On Friday, Badawy moved to assure the would-be homeowners that the project has not been affected.

“The chairman of the committee made remarks to the media that the project has been stopped. We would like to inform you that there is no official communication regarding the matter hence the project is ongoing,”Badawy said.

He said they have been following the due process and the courts of law have ruled on the matter twice giving them a go-ahead.

“We are working with the committee and all other stakeholders over the next few weeks to resolve this matter amicably. In the meantime, the project is ongoing and we are committed to delivering your home within the agreed timeframe,” Badawy wrote.

On Thursday, he had told the committee that the project is five per cent complete and that the first phase would be completed by June 2022.

Phase Two would be completed in two-and-a-half years from today, he noted.

“We are happy to inform you that an overwhelming majority of former Buxton residents are happy with the project and are working with us towards their home ownership journey,” Badawy said.

The new 1860 units will go for Sh1.8 million for one-bedroom apartments, Sh3 million for two-bedroom apartments and Sh4.2 million for three-bedroom apartments.

Edited by P.O