Facing the press this Friday, Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Housing, returned on the criticisms of the opposition concerning the construction projects of 8,000 housing units. His message was that “everything is done in total transparency”.
He added that the 8,000 homes will be spread over 39 construction sites in the 20 constituencies. He also explained that the old method was used “we would never have been able to finish the construction.”
Steven Obeegadoo also refuted certain allegations. He said it is false to say that the government has bought “the land of so-and-so at the expense of so-and-so”. He also refuted allegations that depending on the seller, prices were going up or down. “All this is completely false. For the 8,000 housing units, we only had to buy about ten plots of land. The rest was state land or we made exchanges. But in all cases, the owners are identified,” he said.
Steven Obeegadoo announced that the groundbreaking will take place in June and that the work will last 18 months. He also explained why an additional budget of Rs 5 billion was needed. He said the money is needed immediately.
He also said that the National Housing Development Company has already delivered 2,200 units and is planning to deliver 282 more soon.
