The request for proposal (RFP) issued last week by the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation for 50,000 houses for war displaced families in the North and the East is causing grave concern to community groups and technical experts who are now questioning the viability of the project.
The new RFP, according to sources, is based on the recommendations made in the technical report made by the University of Katubedda team, but has gone beyond the remit of low-cost housing by specifying material and accessories that will push the basic cost beyond Rs 1.9 million, twice the cost of a housing unit that community groups proposed to the government, based on community labour participation and funding by a consortium of local banks.
Prof. Rangika Halwatura, a member of the team that compiled the technical report, told the Sunday Observer yesterday that although the government’s decision to move from the previous tender is commendable, the current tender specifications too raise grave concerns.