Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali has taken to task Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Hamilton Green who declared recently that some $100 million is to be spent on rectifying defects on Turnkey Homes built under Ali’s watch at Providence and Perseverance, East Bank Demerara.
Irfaan Ali
Green told a news conference Thursday that the CH&PA board visited the two communities and were taken aback by the magnitude of defective houses handed over to persons. “Two Saturdays ago we met allottees of Perseverance here and there was a series of tears and stories of trials and tribulations. Bad roofs, leaking roofs, doors that don’t function as doors, paint peeling, sanitary facilities which don’t provide the basics, septic tanks which were porous and ineffective, floors that were doing a special dance,” recounted Green.
He described the housing programme initiated under the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration as ill-conceived.
However, Ali, the Minister behind the massive housing boom in Guyana, described Green’s statement as “shocking”.
In a post on his facebook page, the former housing minister also questioned the $100 million Green said will be spent on fixing the ‘defective’ homes, noting that CH&PA had previously stated that corrective works on the Turnkey Homes would have cost about $20 million.
“How is this now estimated at $100 million plus?” Ali asked. Ali explained that new works in the 1000 Homes Project was projected at just over $50 million, which included the completion of more than 200 homes that were delayed for a substantial time by the current Administration which was in opposition at the time.
Ali further contended that some of the homes were completed almost three to four years now, while each of the homes had a defect liability period of one year in which the beneficiary can report any faults.
“The contract then provides for the contractor to take corrective work,” he stated. He further lamented that the Turnkey Homes and the 1000 Homes Project are two completely different projects.
“The 1000 Homes were still under construction when I left office. After the elections massive vandalism took place by invaders who even went in and occupied the homes. 200 homes under the 1000 Homes were still under construction,” he stated.
Guyana’s housing programme was on several occasions hailed by many including regional leaders as the most revolutionary in the Caribbean.
During a visit to Guyana in September 2013, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves lauded the local housing programme as extraordinary and expressed hope that the private sector would assist with the investment programme for housing in his country. Ali, as minister had taken Gonsalves on a tour of the East Bank Housing Development.
DK They have to get 150 million to finish the CUFFY DISCO aka durban park,,,remember y’all thief all the money,them bandits larry and bobby will return to NY rich after the big show,GT nice,the criminals having a blast and they focused on bull shit,,,,
Ali is dancing around the issue. Why are widespread repairs needed within such a short time after the completion of the projects.Ralph Gonsalves probably lauded the concept not the actuality. He would have known little about the reality. He probably visited a few good houses.
“After elections massive vandalism took place by invaders who went in and occupied the homes”. Nice ‘cock and bull story’ tailored made for gullible people who don’t ask questions.
The estimated cost of corrective works could have increased from $20M to $100M as the magnitude of the problem unfolded. I see nothing sinister here.
This is at best a huge screw up and at worst an example of massive corruption.
In spite of all of his bluster Alli is one embarrassed man.
PPP’s rural supporters need to start asking questions and throw ancient notions about loyalty out the door.
Ali questions Govt’s $100M projection to fix Turn-key homes.
Most people know that PNC trying everything they possibly can to deflect attention from their miserable 11 months in rule.
There is no transparency on anything PNC does.
They account to no one.
Too bad you PPPC people give the US big man the feral blast and now you cant go asking for international help.
PNC rule the roost and no one dare stop them. .
This old dawg cant stop sucking eggs,moved out of city hall before any audit,soulja bai put him where he can thief more