by ANNA-LISA PAUL

HOUSING MINISTER Dr. Keith Rowley has given a sneak peak into proposed housing plans for fiscal year 2006/2007, revealing that his ministry will be constructing over 7,000 housing units across Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to completing units which are outstanding from the period 2005/2006.

These 7,000 proposed units will be in addition to the 6,800 units which have already been constructed under the 2005/2006 fiscal year, and does not include the other 5,517 units which are currently underway.

Delivering the feature address at a presentation ceremony at East Grove, Valsayn, yesterday, Rowley said Government had recognized the importance of a stable family life in developing productive and contributing citizens, and that Government was not hesitant in providing such homes for the future benefit of the nation.

Formerly known as Ramgoolie Trace in Curepe, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s latest offering has sought to silence the critics who believe that the homes are cramped and inadequate to meet the housing needs of the population.

East Grove offers 16 single family units, 116 town-houses, 54 duplexes, 32 starter homes and 180 apartments. It also features sporting facilities, a playground, landscaping works and a commercial centre, which is yet to be constructed.

Boasting that East Grove was situated in a near perfect location and had provided improved and increased infrastructure to the residents of the community, Rowley challenged members of the public to visit the settlement and form their own opinions as to whether the Government had stuck to its promise of providing quality housing.

Claiming that the accelerated housing programme was due to a Government and policy change, Rowley said he could walk from the ministry secure in the knowledge that a team had been established to deliver such projects within the stipulated deadlines.

Telling East Grove residents that the national community had incurred significant debts in the provision of these homes, Rowley issued stern warning to residents to adhere to the promises and agreements with the HDC, and to ensure their payments were completed on time.

Rowley noted that the last non-PNM government had only constructed 461 homes, whilst approximately 400 homes were being constructed at East Grove alone.

Project Coordinator, Imtiaz Hosein, said HDC had gone beyond providing housing alone, as it included major infrastructural upgrades, including the building of new access roads; underground electricity lines; introduction of new sewer lines as the old sewer plant at Southern Main Road, Curepe, will be decommissioned and the construction of new drains and waterways in the area.