Contractor under fire for housing project

Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis has asked for a  report on the Green Street housing development project which, according to sources, is developing in a very unsatisfactory manner. Sources said that  the contractor faces the possibility of having the project stopped and  reviewed.

Robinson-Regis and Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley visited the project as  part of a tour of several housing developments last Wednesday. When they reached the Green Street project, the ministers looked visibly  upset and quickly left the site. Reporters who were invited to the tour were  hustled away. Sources said both ministers are concerned about the way the  project is developing. Since then, Newsday has learnt that Robinson-Regis immediately asked UDECOTT  representative Winston Agard for a report on the project, which is way behind schedule.

The project was initiated early this year when the sod was turned by Prime  Minister Patrick Manning. It is due to be completed next year, but it is not even one quarter way through. The contract, which was awarded by UDECOTT to S and M Construction Ltd,  involved the building of 54 garden two-bedroom apartments at Green Street and 34 apartments at El Dorado. Government sources stated that it was felt  that this project should be the flagship project because the sod was turned by the PM.