Contractor: Building is for community purposes

The contractor who financed the controversial mosque in Laventille said the building was never intended for any particular purpose or group. Hafeez Karamath, managing director of Hafeez Karamat Ltd said his only intention is only to provide a place of worship and a source of recreation. “If one is going into the community it is to try and help, you understand. The community find projects that can become a basis so they can have some kind of sustainable project,” he said. Karamath has admitted that while no permission had been granted for the construction of the building, he is happy that it has not been demolished.

“I think the honourable Prime Minister has made a commitment to do something for the poorer communities across the country,” he said. The contractor dismissed claims that he had a hidden agenda, stating that his only interest is to help the community. “I see no reason for me to think, or anyone in the community to think, that building a centre for  people to have meetings and among other things to pray was an issue that anyone should object to.” Karamath said that he does not understand the fuss, and is vowing to continue pumping money into the community. Karamath will also build a basketball court and Newsday understands he is also paying the fees for three students in the area to attend the School of Accounting.

The whole issue began when the Prime Minister received a security report informing him that an illegal structure was going up. Investigations by NHA confirmed that the building was to be used as a mosque by a splinter group of the Jamaat. NHA officials were threatened by members of the group and a decision was taken to hand the matter over to the police and army because NHA employees were mortified to serve a demolition notice themselves. Karamath, the contractor hired by Udeecott to build the Beverly Hills apartments — which are to be handed over to NHA on completion — warned NHA authorities that any demolition of the structure could have serious social consequences. Nevertheless, on January 6, NHA pressed on and wrote to Karamath, stating that it noted that he had “aided and abetted” the unlawful construction of a building upon property belonging to the Authority, in Canada, Laventille. “The Authority hereby calls upon you immediately to cease and desist from constructing and permitting or aiding and abetting in the construction.” A similar notice was served on the occupants.