The Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed that police are investigating reports that certain HDC officials are taking big bribes from people for houses.Jearlean John told the Trinidad Express the probe is at "delicate" point. She added, "Let us allow the investigation to run its course and it is something that is developing quite rapidly, I believe."
Prime Minister Patrick Manning spoke about the matter Monday night during a political meeting in Princes Town.
He said while there are many hard-working public officers in the HDC "a few who are corrupt" are taking "five, ten thousand dollars for houses. We are making some headway in this right now. I don’t want to say too much."
Manning noted that while his government is committed to building 8,000 houses are year with a further 2,000 from the private sector, it has been difficult to deliver on that promise because of all kinds of hurdles and problems with contractors.
He said the construction program has been suspended to review the approaches to housing.
Manning also spoke about his government's attack on crime and said the six fast patrol Coast Guard boats that went into service last week will secure the borders against gun and drug runners.
In fact he suggested the presence of the boats is already having an impact and noted that there is now a shortage of marijuana in the country.
Manning said drug dealers are going to have to look for other places to ply their trade because the measures taken by Trinidad and Tobago would put them out of business.
"I feel confident we can now look forward to a newer, better brighter day," he said with regard to crime.
He noted that in hot spots like St Barb’s and John John, Laventille there is virtually no crime today.
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