Dillon: 6,000 houses by fiscal 2020

HOUSING Minister Edmund Dillon has announced government plans to build 6,000 houses by fiscal 2020 following the signing of a US $71 million contract with a Chinese company.

He was speaking at the signing ceremony between the Housing Development Corporation and the China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Company (CGGC) for Phase 1–Affordable Housing Project 5000 Units at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

“This morning I consider to be a very defining moment in the housing construction industry in TT,” Dillon said.

He said Government was satisfying a basic need by providing affordable housing and Project 5000 seeks to reduce the housing deficit. He said there are an estimated 180,000 citizens on a database waiting for affordable houses.

“Nowhere in any part of the world can any government satisfy that kind of demand. And therefore there must be alternative measures to seek to satisfy our citizens with respect to housing.”

The initial sites under the project are for 204 units at South Quay, Port of Spain and 235 units at Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando, while Phase 2 of the project will be in two other areas. Dillon said the housing sites will include recreational areas, as the aim was to create and shape wholesome communities.

Other contracts will be signed under this blanket agreement once lands identified for other units has undergone planning and development work stages.

“The Government’s objective is to complete as least 6,000 housing units by fiscal 2020. A tall order, ladies and gentlemen, but we feel it is achievable when we put all efforts by this government to ensure we deliver.”

Dillon said the Government has several housing initiatives, including other public/private partnerships, of which 1,600 units are planned for the next two years, and the housing bonds announced during the mid-year budget review in Parliament.

CGGC general manager Lui Huailiang said the model of the housing project has been innovative and the company is capable of delivering the project in a timely manner.

“In the meantime we will go all out.”

Huailiang said behind every success there is courage and passion.

“CGGC is ready and we are hoping for your continued support.”

He said the state-owned company was founded 49 years ago with global operations and its business covers energy, power, highways, railways, bridges, airports, ports and waterways. The company is also a leading manufacturer of cement.

Among those present yesterday were San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi and Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald. Al-Rawi said the previous administration had no desire to develop San Fernando and McDonald said the project is part of a bid to develop Port of Spain.