A major plan to clear 50,000 families from the Housing Ministry's waiting list will be completed in four years, said a senior government official.

Minister Bassem Al Hamer told MPs the five-year plan was on track with 4,000 homes to be distributed this year and 10,000 units built next year, which will see applicants up to 2001 cleared from the ministry's list.

He also revealed work on the delayed Buhair Valley Housing Town will start next month and will cost BD75 million ($198.9 million).

"We have 660 houses planned, of which 380 will be built by us next month and the rest in partnership with the private sector," he said.

"I am not here to promise, as other ministers have, that there will be 1,800 units, 1,500 or 1,200 units because other ministries and government bodies would want space for infrastructure facilities.

"The dangerous part of the valley, which has seen sewage dumping for years, will be treated next month for work to begin."

The minister was responding to questions by three MPs on the progress of different housing projects. – TradeArabia News Service