(Trinidad Guardian) “Worried and concerned about Port-of-Spain South.”
That’s how PNM Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald said she is feeling about Thursday’s announcement regarding the cancellation of a contract to a Chinese firm for the planned housing unit construction in her constituency.
But the MP said she intends to keep an eye on the matter to ensure the area sees the development it needs.
On Thursday Prime Minister Keith Rowley confirmed Cabinet has cancelled the contract that was to be given to Chinese contractor Gezhouba Group International to build 5,000 housing units in several areas.
The contract was signed in May.
In the first phase – costing (US)$71.7m – the firm was expected to build 204 units at South Quay, Port-of-Spain and 235 units at Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando.
Dr. Rowley said some aspects of the contract didn’t meet Cabinet approval.
Housing Minister Edmund Dillon who was at a funeral when Guardian Media called yesterday, said briefly, “Government wasn’t happy with details in the contract.”
He declined to say what exactly caused the change.
Another MP, whose area stood to benefit from the construction also weighed in.
San Fernando West MP Faris Al Rawi said he expected a contract for the project would have been reissued almost immediately for retender by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
But Port-of-Spain South MP McDonald – who was at the May launch of the contract signing – said she only learnt of the development yesterday.
She said, “I felt a bit worried and concerned as I thought this project would have launched the second phase of the planned redevelopment of East Port-of-Spain. The first phase was the reconstruction of the Clifton Towers on St Paul Street. We want to breathe new life into the city which is dying and this project represented the opportunity to return life to it. So I’m looking into this. I was born and raised in this area and I’d have certainly liked to see the development.”
She continued, “So far I’d only discussed the construction with the Port-of-Spain South executive, proposed Local Government candidates and incumbent councillors and they were very happy and anxious the area was getting 204 units. I hadn’t gone completely public with my constituents on the plan…what the eye don’t see the heart doesn’t grieve, but I intend to follow up since East Port-of-Spain was neglected over 2010-2015 and we’d planned to rejuvenate it so I’m taking a personal interest in this.”
Mc Donald, who was axed from her role as a government minister in July, said she had no idea what led to Cabinet’s decision but wanted the project to get off the ground.
“I don’t know what was in the agreement, what was signed off on and what clauses government wouldn’t have agreed to but whatever the reasons, we have to work through this, kickstart the project, get tenders in and a company to do construction. We’re in dire need of increasing and improving housing stock in East Port-of-Spain. When I was at the May (signing) function I was very excited with a lot of hope in my heart for the area.”
