Security forces enter NHA ‘danger zones’

THE ARMED FORCES will commence operations in several “high risk areas” this week as the National Housing Authority’s new apartment refurbishment programme began yesterday.

The involvement of the security forces in the programme was first announced on September 21 by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and then confirmed by NHA executive director Noel Garcia in an exclusive Newsday interview 24 hours later. During that interview, Garcia explained that the reason for calling in the Police-Army Inter-Agency Task Force was “the emergence of unsavoury activities such as ghost gangs, turf wars and in some instances people claiming payment for work that was not done,” during the last apartment refurbishing programme, which ended in April. NHA officials told Newsday yesterday that the security forces will be deployed in the “high risk areas” this week, was confirmed by army sources. Garcia had previously identified these areas as Beetham, Laventille and Morvant. The officials said 30 pre-approved contractors are currently mapping out the work to be done and the NHA is optimistic that this programme will see “the beginning of micro-enterprises among communities.”

An estimated 6,000 persons would be employed in this new programme and a budget of $15 million has been allocated to complete the remaining ten to 15 percent of refurbishment works left unfinished by the last programme. The new programme will run for six fortnights with each of the 6,000 persons employed for at least two fortnights during the course of the programme. The officials said the first phase of this programme will end on December 19 and are optimistic that the programme “is a sustainable one.” They also confirmed previous statements by Garcia that a training element will be incorporated into the programme through the involvement of army engineers and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The NHA has hired three project management consulting firms at a cost of $675,000, to work together with its technical staff to identify the areas where work remains to be done. Documents supplied to Newsday identified these areas as San Fernando, Couva, Maloney, Port-of-Spain East, Port-of-Spain Central and Port-of-Spain West. Garcia said by December 31, the NHA will have constructed 2,435 units while Udecott will construct another 1,976 units. Garcia also stated and the NHA is “on course” to helping Government achieve its goal of constructing 10,000 houses annually.