SOMALIA-HIGH-RISE APARTMENTS Somali entrepreneurs cash in on housing shortfall by building high-rise apartments.

Record ID: 584101

  • Title: SOMALIA-HIGH-RISE APARTMENTS Somali entrepreneurs cash in on housing shortfall by building high-rise apartments.
  • Date: 28th November 2014
  • Summary: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEWS OF MOGADISHU VARIOUS OF SAFARI APARTMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS POURING CEMENT VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS LAYING FLOOR TILES VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS PAINTING WALLS VARIOUS OF WYCLIFF OKOTH, ASSISTANT ENGINEER GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO WORKMEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) WYCLIFF OKOTH, ASSISTANT ENGINEER SAYING: "The main challenges we are facing in this apartment is materials; materials like steel, calcium, tiles, doors, windows and cement because we are importing them from other countries." DOOR LEADING INTO APARTMENT APARTMENT CORRIDOR VIEW OF MOGADISHU THROUGH APARTMENT WINDOW VARIOUS OF SHOWER CLOSE UP OF JACUZZI BATHROOM SINK VARIOUS OF NOR ALI, DIRECTOR, SAFARI APARTMENTS SAYING: (SOUNDBITE) (Somali) NOR ALI, DIRECTOR, SAFARI APARTMENTS SAYING: "Because the cost of land is very expensive here in the capital, we decided to build high-rise apartments that house many families instead of one family living on a piece of land that may cost more than one million U.S. Dollars."
  • Embargoed: 13th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Somalia
  • Country: Somalia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEPE2CCDUFT9JND0XXFQCMRDVR
  • Story Text: ==PLEASE NOTE EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL==
    For over two decades, war raged on in Somalia. Its countrymen and women fled and scattered to different parts of the world. Today a number of them are returning home as life slowly returns to normal.
    High-rise apartments are beginning to dot the Mogadishu landscape. Contractors are scrambling to meet the housing needs of expatriates and the Diaspora coming back home.
    The Safari Apartments is one such project. They are a series of three buildings each with sixteen units. But according to Assistant Engineer, Wycliff Okoth, the construction process has been far from easy. Much of the building materials they need are unavailable in Somalia and have to be imported from neighbouring countries.
    "The main challenges we are facing in this apartment is materials; materials like steel, calcium, tiles, doors, windows and cement because we are importing them from other countries," said Okoth.
    Safari Apartments come with modern fixtures and an enviable view of Mogadishu. Each apartment costs a hefty 350,000 U.S. dollars for those willing to buy and up to 1,500 dollars per month to rent.
    Nor Ali is the Director of Safari Apartments. He says it's much more profitable to construct apartment blocks because many people cannot afford to buy land on which to build their own home.
    The issue is further complicated by the fact that after the war, Somalia is yet to establish clear land ownership policies making it difficult to purchase land and property.
    "Because the cost of land is very expensive here in the capital, we decided to build high-rise apartments that house many families instead of one family living on a piece of land that may cost more than one million U.S. dollars," explained Ali.
    Before the conflict, Mogadishu was a thriving cosmopolitan city with a vibrant economy. The late 80s were an era of rebuilding and optimism.
    But now most residents live in decrepit houses like these, a remnant of the war which destroyed the city's infrastructure.
    Halima Ali pays about 300 dollars per month for her home where she lives with her seven children.
    She hopes the new construction boom will offer more affordable housing options.
    "High-rise apartment buildings are a step in the right direction helping Somali people move forward. They will also help with the shortage of housing in the city. I rented this house for 300 U.S. dollars," said Ali.
    Somalia's government is encouraging Somalis across the world to return home and be part of the reconstruction process.
    But the Horn of Africa nation needs rebuilding from scratch. Just 10 percent of its roads are paved while 95 percent of the country's 10 million people have no electricity.
    Unemployment is high and many live in poverty, surviving on less than a dollar a day.
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