Land search holds up project expansion for Tiger Bay single mothers

A presidential promise to deliver additional shade houses to single mothers in Tiger Bay is closer to reality, with land availability being the only hurdle standing between dozens of women and a steady weekly income.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said everything else is in place; applicants have been registered, shortlisted, and are ready to go. The one missing piece is a suitable location for the remaining structures.

“As soon as we get the land to start, these people will earn,” Mustapha said.

He said that the construction is expected to begin shortly.

In efforts to get the project moving, the minister said he has reached out to Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand to engage the Mayor and City Council in identifying an appropriate site.

The project stems from a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to construct the 50 shade houses specifically for women in the Tiger Bay community, with single parents as a priority.

A model shade house already operating in the area is giving a glimpse of the success. Women running the unit are currently pulling in between $100,000 and $120,000 weekly, with harvesting taking place every week since crops began bearing fruit roughly three weeks after planting.

Mustapha said that figure could climb even higher and weekly earnings could push toward $200,000. He said women lined up for the units should expect a minimum of $120,000 per week once they begin operating.