Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the China-funded housing development at the former Booby Alley site will be completed and handed over by October as an Independence gift.

The update came during a walkthrough of the project with a visiting Chinese delegation.

The development includes nine buildings with 150 condominium units. External painting and internal tiling have been completed, while installation of windows and doors is about 90% finished.

Project representatives said remaining internal work is expected to be completed by June, with external works and a sewage treatment facility scheduled for August.

Mr Browne said the government is seeking several adjustments before the handover, including provisions for propane gas supply, shared waste disposal facilities, and the acquisition of nearby land for a multi-million-gallon water storage tank.

Landscaping is due to begin by the end of June and will include flowering plants and fruit trees as part of a wider food security initiative.

During the visit, the prime minister also extended greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and said he plans to visit China early next year to strengthen bilateral ties.

Mr Browne described the project as a major social transformation effort, replacing substandard housing with modern condominium units for low-income residents.