The situation has become unbearable for over 1,000 subscribers of LPA (Logement Promotionnel Aidé) housing in Bouira, Algeria, who have been waiting for their homes for years. Despite being selected, hundreds of families are still in limbo, forced to continue paying rent. A total of 7 projects, comprising 638 LPA units, are stalled in the city of Bouira alone. These projects were undertaken by various construction companies, including ETB Tounsi, ETB Lakhal, and ETB Bougarge Fateh.
The stalled projects include 150 housing units by ETB Tounsi, which had its contract terminated, 54 units opposite the Royal Hotel by ETB Lakhal, and 100 units at the former weekly market by ETB Bougarge Fateh and ETB Lounisi Karim. Other projects, such as 80 units in the Harkat neighborhood by ETB Bouzid Laagab, 60 units in the Harkat neighborhood, and 60 units at POS UF 02, have not been launched. Additionally, 134 units in front of Souk Errahma by ETB Akkouche are also stalled.
The problems are not limited to Bouira city, as other communes in the wilaya (province) are also affected. In Aïn Bessem, 100 LPA units are either stalled or have not been launched. In Lakhdaria, 150 units are pending, while in Kadiria, 50 units are stalled. M'Chedallah has 80 units by ETB Zebbiche, and Sour El Ghozlane has 28 promotional units by ETB Belamouri. The main issue cited is poor management by the Bouira Land Agency.
According to a beneficiary of 150 LPA units in Bouira, the agency faces financial difficulties, leading to unpaid debts to construction companies. These companies have refused to work due to lack of payment. The beneficiary visits the agency's headquarters every Tuesday, seeking updates on the situation, which has been ongoing since late 2013.
A manager of one of the construction companies responsible for an LPA project in Bouira stated that it is impossible to work under such conditions. The company started the project in the first quarter of 2015, with a completion deadline of mid-2018. However, the agency has ordered work to stop, and the company has not been paid for four outstanding invoices totaling approximately 4 billion Algerian dinars.
The construction company claims that the work done meets all standards and regulations, with bureaus of study, engineers, and architects overseeing the construction process. The company's situation is not unique, as other entrepreneurs working on LPA projects for the Bouira Land Agency face similar challenges.
The ongoing delays and poor management have left thousands of Algerian families in uncertainty, struggling to find alternative housing solutions. The situation highlights the need for improved management and oversight of housing projects to ensure that beneficiaries receive their homes in a timely manner.
Key points
- Over 1,000 LPA housing subscribers in Bouira face uncertainty due to project delays and poor management.
- Seven projects, comprising 638 LPA units, are stalled in Bouira city alone.
- Construction companies cite financial difficulties and unpaid debts as reasons for halting work on LPA projects.
