The government of Trinidad and Tobago estimates that it would have to find about $130 million to repair flaws on houses built by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) under the Patrick Manning-led PNM administration.Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal gave that figure to reporters Wednesday, which is much higher that the original estimate of about $50 million.
Read the story: $50M to repair houses built by Manning government
Speaking after an Emancipation Day celebration at his constituency’s office in Debe Junction, Moonilal said his ministry has already started working on the repairs to some of the houses.
"Estimates are still being done and they could reach between $125 to $130 million, that is in addition to the billion spent to build them,” Moonilal said.
Moonilal raised concerns about shoddy workmanship shortly after he took office and said many of the homes were unsuitable for occupation. He noted that there were structural problems in many of the homes built on lands that used be under sugar cane cultivation in the Debe, Golconda, Retrench and Corinth area.
“We are doing testing for the geological studies to ensure we do proper remedial works. We cannot do it without the proper testing of the soil. There is an ongoing process with the repairs,” Moonilal assured reporters.
Managing director of HDC, Jearlean John noted that it is consting the HDC $4 million a month to look after the unoccupied houses.
"We have security officers at these units, but yet the vandals get in and they are causing havoc,” John said.
1 comment:
Ms. John is referring to vandals "causing havoc" in new, unoccupied HDC houses.
In view of the inanely shoddy workmanship, the moronic building of houses on inappropriate land and structural foundations, and houses without water /sewerage infrastructure in place, prior to them being built, surely she should be saying "MORE HAVOC".
It is not surprising to find such pathetic standards and such incredible wastage of public funds. This is just "Planet of the Apes" administration at its usual half - assed standard.
What I do find noteworthy, albeit in a ludicrous way, is Mr John's repeated references over the past few months, to the importance of her work at HDC, and her continued committment to it.
Clearly when hired in to replace Calder Hart, it was not a job requirement that she DO anything specific, or even KNOW how to do anything specific. Not even to the extent of expecting and securing acceptable results from thise below her in that hierarchy.
And to that extent I feel she has fulfilled all expectations.
Why is she still there? Meaning, of course, both UDECOTT AND HDC?
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