Jopa Villas Updates

JOPA VILLAS SITE PROGRESS REPORT AS AT 5th JUNE 2007

1 CLUSTER ONE – THREE BEDROOMED UNITS

1.1 HOUSE 1-25

The super structure of the units for this cluster has been completed. All the roofing work has been have been done. Finishing work is ongoing on this units being in deferent level of completion.

PAINTING
Painting work have been started on the first two units, and since plaster work has been completed on the next 18 units, Painting work will resume immediately the plastered part is well cured and dry. This will ensure that the quality of paint work is not compromised.

PLASTER WORK
Plaster work has been done on the first 18 units while the rest are being done. The work is projected to complete in two weeks time on all the units.

TILING
Floor and wall tiling is in progress. Unit 1 have been done 90% completion while the work is in progress on the other units.

WINDOW AND DOOR FIXING
These have been done to unit 22, the work is in progress and the job is expected to complete in a weeks time.

KITCHEN AND WORDROBE FITTINGS
These have been done on the first house. The work is to resume on the other units after the ceiling blundering have been completed, this will reduce the risk of damage to the fittings.

ROOFING
The work has been done to completion for the first 25 units

2 CLUSTER ONE – FOUR BED ROOMED UNITS.

2.1 UNIT 108
The super structure of the ground floor wall has been constructed up to the ring beam level.

2.2 UNIT 109 TO 112
Ground floor walling and upper floor casting been done to completion. Upper floor walling in progress.

2.3 UNIT 113 TO 115
Ground floor casting done ready for walling.

CLUSTER TWO – THREE BEDROOMED UNITS
Excavation of black cotton soil, setting out of units, strip footing and foundation walling has been done to 100% completion. Backfilling work is in progress for these units.

3 LABOUR

(Average daily labour)
Site agent – 1
Fore man – 2
Skilled – 30
Unskilled –60

3.1
Plaster work on unit two has been done to 80%completion. Kitchen fittings have not been done but kitchen floor tiles have been fitted. The visitors cloak room have been fitted with wall tiles to 70% completion. No other interior fittings have been done on this unit thus also, the contractor should add more emphasis on completing the interior finishing of this unit.

3.2 SUPER STRUCTURE

3.2.1 GROUND FLOOR WALLING
Ground floor walling of units 1 to 25 have been done to 100% completion.

3.2.2 UPPER FLOOR WALLING

3.2.2.1 EXTERNAL WALL
The contractor has done upper floor external walling of the first 23 units to 100% completion and 50% complete on unit 24.

3.2.2.2 INTERNAL WALLING
The contractor has done upper floor internal walling of units 3 - 10 to 80% completion and the rest units only upto 40%.

3.3 RING BEAM CASTING
The contractor has done ring beam casting of house 1 to 25 to 100 % completion.

3.4 ELECTRICAL CONDUITING AND PLUMBING
These two activities are in progress in all the units at different levels of completion since their progress depends on the construction stage of respective unit.

3.5 ROOFING
The contractor has done roofing for the first 13 houses to 90% completion. The first two houses which has been fitted with iron sheets is to be changed to tiles. House number three to eight have been fitted with tiles up to 100 % completion. Roof structure of upto unit 25 has been done to 80% completion. Tiling work is on progress and is projected to be completed by the end of the week.


Section of roofing work in progress.	This was taken the first week of May	A view of the first cluster


Window frame fixing in progress All the door & windows have been installed	Roof	View of completed roof


All the doors & windows have been installed	Side view of three bedroom units	Section of the houses super structure and roofing and the new foundations for roll-out that has been started .

Super structure done to ring beam level	View of four bed roomed houses under construction	Section of the four bed roomed cluster. The ring been will take two weeks to cure

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JOPA VILLAS SITE UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2006

Re: Jopa Villas – November 2006 Client Communication:

Project Update:
It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you for updates with our project.
I have been in Kenya for the last two months coordinating things to ensure we soldier strongly and the construction is going in full swing.

On September 17th, I called a client meeting at the site to show them the sample units and to personally answer any pressing issues or concerns.

There was a good turnout and several issues were discussed and many suggestions on how to improve the project. The result was a formation of a 10 member committee that will act as a liaison between the clients and Jopa Villas Management. Their work was to collect all views and suggestions from all clients and present them to Jopa Villas. Please see the list at our website.

That committee met on 18th and 20th of September 2006, together with the project professionals and recommended the following changes which have since been incorporated into the project:

Increase the size three bedrooms to 130 meter.
As an option the four bedrooms can be converted into 5 bedrooms, with the servant quarters being used as a family room.

Our Architects and Engineers evaluated these changes and made the necessary accommodation. Any cost change was agreed to be passed to the clients at the time of closing.

While I was there the mobilization of the Three bedrooms kicked off quiet well. Our constructors have promised to deliver the first phase of the Three Bedrooms which will be units No. 1 through Unit No 25. by the end of December. They have also started excavation on the Four Bedrooms which will be Units No. 107 through Units No. 120. The foundation of these four bedrooms units is going up by the end of this month.

This week, I have communicated with our contractors and they have promised to have the two sample units ready with all the finishes by the end of next week, which means by the end of the month, we will be able to see how the actual three and four bedrooms units looks like and for those who wish to visit the site or send a representative; they will have a clear picture.

Payments:
We have a very big percentage of those that have finished their 10% deposit and I would like to thank you for the commitment and trust that you have bestowed on us. A lot of you have requested if they can start making their mortgage payments.
The loans and Mortgage Documents have been finalized and for those who wish to start making their payments, we will send you an e-mail by the end of this month with the correct forms and details.

For those that have continued to make the monthly Deposit payments – please continue to do until the full 10% Deposit is paid, once the deposit is met, any further payment will be applied toward reducing the principle, which will lower the final financed amount.
There are those who paid the initial 1% and have not communicated to us their willingness to finish the rest of the deposit. We have a very large number of people on the waiting list and this number keeps on rising. Some of those on the waiting list have even paid the deposit and others are willing to pay the whole 10%.

I would like to urge you to continue making your payments or advise us otherwise so we can release your unit and give a chance to those on our waiting list.

If your unit is among the once to be completed by this December, you must have completed the deposit payment in full by now, and the signed all the paperwork. If you will not be ready by the end of this month then, we will have no other alternative other than reallocate your unit to those on the waiting list.

Contact Information:
If your contact information has changed within this year, please send us an e-mail with the correct information for easier communication.

Please be sure to keep checking our website for Project pictures and other updates at :
( http://www.jopavillas.com/updates.php )

Don’t hesitate to call or e-mail our offices if you have any questions:

For those in Kenya – jopa.villas@cbskenya.com

For those in US - jopavillas@aol.com if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

John N. Paul

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JOPA VILLAS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - 02.10.2006

It’s with great pleasure that I am writing to you to update you as to where we are in our project, we have soldiered on and construction is in high gears.

As I had mentioned before, we called for a meeting on 17th September 2006, which we had a good turnout.

We had several discussions and there were a million and one suggestions on how to improve the project, afterwards a committee of 10 people was suggested and they collected all the view from those who were present and others too.

That committee met on 18th and 20th of September 2006, together with the professionals and recommended some changes which we have since incorporated into the project.

Basically, the changes that were made will greatly improve the units, and increase the size of the three bedrooms to 130 meter. Also, upon request, the four bedrooms can be converted into 5 bedrooms, with the servant quarters being used as a family room. I have posted the latest floor plans which reflect the new layout of the units.

Now, the changes that were suggested have been evaluated by the engineers, and the architect and they are being implemented. Please note that all the units will be constructed as per the new layout. The Quantity Surveyor has also evaluated and costed the changes. The cost will be Ksh 88,000 which is quite reasonable for what we need done. Please note that this will only be added to the final cost, so it doesn’t have an immediate effect on your deposit or your payment.

I have posted the pictures from the meeting on the web, and as you may notice we have the best looking neighbors in Nairobi.
Also, I have posted some site pictures showing the work in progress. You will notice that we have over 50 units under construction and we have also excavated for another 100 units.

Finally, it’s imperative that those who have not finished paying their deposit do so as soon as possible. And for those who have finished they can continue paying down their loan as some of you have already started doing.

WE STILL ON TRACK FOR ATLEAST 50 UNITS BY DECEMBER!!!

Thanks you all for your support and patience and the bus has finally left the station so we are on the journey.

Sincerely

John Paul
.

	Name	Units number
1.	Kinya Gichohi
2.	Florence Ngugi	8
3.	Anthony Gitau	207
4.	Joseph Menge	320
5.	Rose Kilonzo	312
6.	Sam Gibuni	95
7.	Ruth Musembi	247
8.	David Kigathi	174
9.	Dr. Joseph O.Junga	248
10.	Masline A. Oketch	175
11.	Samuel Kamau	Jopa representative
12.	Eng. Kariuki Muchemi	Engineer

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Project Pictorials - 2nd October 2006

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20th July 2006

Dear Jopa Villas Client:

Re: Jopa Villas – Project Update:

I hope this letter finds you all well.

First I would like to update you on the progress of the project. As many of you know this project is being financed by a bank in US which is part of Federal Government, and for those of you who knows how financing with major banks works it sometimes takes longer than you would like it to.

Our contractors (LandMark Holdings Ltd) have since moved to the site and mobilization has started. They are now clearing and leveling the site in preparation for excavation. They have also started bringing in the construction materials. The club house and sample units are already on their way. They will release a delivery schedule once the excavation starts.

Currently, we are working on the Second Disbursement which we hope will be released in the next 2 weeks. This Disbursement will be used to accelerate the pace of construction and confirm to the delivery schedule. We will from time to time post photos showing the progress on the website.

Let me retaliate my total commitment to this project and assure you that I am working around the clock to make sure we get the best in the most affordable way. Surely this has not been a sole effort but a team effort and with your support and prayers; we are finally on our way.

Again, thank you all for your support and understanding.

Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail our offices at jopavillas@aol.com if you have any questions. We will keep updating our website with more information and pictures; so be sure to check for updates/progress.

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Kenyan.

John N. Paul

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Project Pictorials - 20th July 2006

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March 20th, 2006

Dear Jopa Villas Client:

Re: Jopa Villas Project Update:

I hope this letter finds you all well.

Our patience has finally paid off! We closed the loan on the 15th of this month. The bank also funded their first disbursement which means now that land can be registered in our name.

Here is an outline of how I expect us to proceed from now and since we don't have any other regulatory issues remaining we should now be on track.

The week of March 27th - we will finish the land transfer and registration. Once this process is complete we will move to the site and work will start.
The week of April 3rd - we will start surveying the roads and the plots to create room for excavation.
By the week of April 17th - you will be able to see some work going on at the site.

My contention is that we will have the ground breaking sometimes in May while work is still going on and there is tangible evidence that we are on the way. However if most of the clients prefers that we have the ground breaking before the work starts I am open to that too.

This has been a long journey but finally we are where we wanted to be and can breathe easy knowing that the Bank is also on board. I have no word that expresses my sincere appreciation. Thanks for all the support that I have received and the patience that you have all shown to our journey here. All I can say is that I am humbled and will always be grateful.

Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail our offices at jopavillas@aol.com if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

John N. Paul

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March 1st, 2006

Dear Jopa Villas Client:

Re: Jopa Villas Project Update:

It is with great joy to let you know that we received the much awaited investment certificate on the 24th of February 2006 and it has been mailed to the bank in Washington D.C.

What this means is that they have 14 days to review all the documents, contracts and certificates with their lawyers and release the funds. With this happening we are targeting the ground breaking be around the week of 20th of this month.

Good things have unfolded for us within the last month, probably faster than the previous few months and I'm very confident that this will come to pass soon.

We have put so much effort into this deal and it's only a few more weeks and we'll be on our way.

I continue to thank you for your patience and prayers.

Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail our offices at jopavillas@aol.com if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

John N. Paul

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24th November 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen,

By to date, I had hoped that I would be writing to you requesting that you pick your keys!
That day is nearer than when we started.

As I mentioned in my earlier communication, we have been waiting for the license from NEMA. Over two months ago they gave us a temporary license to start on the clubhouse.

THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE to us since we had waited for so long. I wrote back to them and told them that we would accept nothing less than the full license to build all the units.

After addressing all their conditions they issued to us the final license on October 11, 2005.
However we did not receive this document until late last week.

Our intention had been to proceed with the ground breaking even as we waited for the final license and start with the construction of the common amenities first. Therefore as far as the license is concerned we are ready to go.

Meanwhile I would like to update you on other developments that have occurred concurrently.

On October 18th 2005, we signed the construction contract with Landmark Builders of Nairobi who will be the project contractors.
Land mark has been a leader in this industry throughout East Africa and they have completed several thousand units. Currently they have over one thousand units under construction in and around Nairobi.

As for the ground breaking we are expecting the OPIC director of housing in the country right after the thanks giving holiday. We are also waiting for the guest of honor to confirm their available dates. This has been the major reason we have time and again postponed the date of the ceremony.

I am confident that we will be able to break ground no later than the second week of next month.

Now one more challenge that we have to overcome is that The Kenyan Parliament passed a law called KENYA INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT on December 2004. (Click the Attached Gazette Extracts)

Click below to download:
1.	Gazette Extract 1
2.	Gazette Extract 2
3.	Gazette Extract 3
4.	Gazette Extract 4

This law did not have a commencement date and as such was not yet enforced.

Now, on 22nd September 2005, the minister for trade gazetted this law to commence on 3rd October 2005, just few weeks ago, (see attached notice). According to the law any foreign investor has to be issued with a INVESTMENT CERTIFICATE.

When this law was brought to my attention, I felt that some aspects within it were not in our best interest, and I am sure a number of other investors shared the same sentiments. We lobbied for an amendment which was done last month and it was inserted in the finance bill. THE DILEMA WE ARE IN, IS THAT THE FINACE BILL WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL January 1st 2006. What this means to us is that no foreign investment can be made in Kenya before then .

Now we have every intention of going on and breaking ground next month but I can assure you that we will move more expediently after the first of the year.

I honestly do know that it has been a frustrating wait both for you my customers, and for me. We have been paying interest on the loan for over a year and yet we can not draw it down for us to get started due to various red tapes in Kenya.

I would like to assure you that as of today we have put over One million dollars in this project both in land cost, interest, personnel costs, travel expenses and consultancy costs .

My commitment to you is solid and I have backed it up with my own monies.

As you can see most of those things have been beyond our control. Some people have argued that we could have joined other Kenyans and push for things in unethical ways but our conscience and principles would not have allowed us to do that, plus that would have been a violation of the trust that you have put on us. So we have done everything that we were supposed to do and carried it in the manner that you all would have expected of us.

Landmark holding is supposed to deliver the first phase of units six months after the commencement date. Now, if we start on January 1st we will have the first units ready by June 30th. I am sure they will do everything to deliver in time since by not doing so, they will incur losses in fines as per the agreement and possible loss of the second phase of the project.

Just few more days and we will be on our way.

I do thank you all for your patronage and if you need to contact me please feel free to do so on this email, pau12l@aol.com .

Sincerely,

John Paul.

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15th September 2005

Commencement of construction of Jopa Villas has been approved by N.E.M.A.

Click here to download the approval document

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8th August 2005

As of 8th of August, 2005 - We are still waiting for the licence from N.E.M.A.

Per N.E.M.A's Advert they had given members of the public and Government organization sixty(60) days from the date of the publication. We are still hoping NEMA will expedite our request and give us the license by the end of this month.

We really do want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding. Things in Kenya work in a slower pace than most of the world and that is why we all should work together to change this beloved country of ours to be a better place.

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6th July 2005

We must take this chance to thank all our clients and stakeholders for the patience as they waited for the commencement of the "ground-breaking" of the Mombasa Road Project. We would like to update you on the project progress made so far.

We have received all the City Council of Nairobi Approvals for building permits and all their necessary statutory requirements have been met.

There is a new law in Kenya which requires a project of this magnitude to have an Environmental Impact Study done. We had this done and we turned in the report to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) which they have acknowledged and all the necessary fees have been paid.

Nema responded by requiring that we put an advert in the newspaper, which we have done.

Right now everything else is on track and we are waiting for NEMA Licence for us to "break ground".

NEMA has promised to expedite the process. However, the pace at which the public sector in kenya operates is different from most parts of the world. Its our belief that NEMA will live upto their promise to issue a licence within a week.

If you have any comments please write to us at info@jopavillas.com or call us on 512.380.0123

Thank you,

JOHN PAUL

Progress Views

Project Report Acknowledgement

NEMA Paid Fees

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