THA: Landate project was approved

APPROVAL FOR the Landate development project being undertaken by Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s family was granted by the Town and Country Planning Division  of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). That was the word from THA’s Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Utilities Hilton Sandy. “Yes, they got permission from Town and Country Planning and they had to put in all the infrastructural work before anyone could construct houses on the project,” he told Newsday. Sandy denied claims that Dr Rowley granted approval for the project when he was Minister of Planning. “If as a minister he was to give approval on a project like that, he would have given outright approval. He wouldn’t give approval and have problems to correct and correct.” Sandy argued. “The Town and Country Planning Division in Tobago gave approval with certain provisions in the approval which they must follow, because every time adjustments have to be made, Tobago Town and Country Planning deals with the plan.”

He said the project was being closely followed and “all the infrastructural work requirements must be complied with before anyone can build in the area.” With respect to claims that the THA officially knew nothing about the project, Sandy said: “I would not say we were not aware of it, because the Division of Infrastructure is responsible for certain things. We work together with Town and Country Planning on certain projects in Tobago. Apart from the Division of Infrastructure, Sandy explained that Town and Country Planning also works with the Health Division. “There are certain aspects of the request that will fall under health, so when they send out the approval they will send it to the different agencies to look at certain things before you could move on.

And that’s how it is done. “Town and Country Planning is not just by itself. Sometimes they send you back to the EMA (Environmental Management Authority) to get certain clearance before you can move on. So it’s not as easy as people feel it is out there!” THA Chief Secretary Orville London said there were buildings in Tobago that were erected “with no permission at all.” He insisted this has not occurred during the PNM THA Administration. “I am not aware that under our watch buildings have been put up without the input of the THA. In fact, I am very confident that under our watch, no minister would have given direct approval for that kind of activity without, not just the input, but without the authority or the consent of the Town and Country Planning Division in Tobago. “But there are small people and very large people who have built small buildings and very large buildings without getting permission from anybody!” he said.