Minister Rowley: No worries over Ramesh

On Monday, Maharaj threatened legal action against the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Government if it proceeds with new housing plans for East PoS. Rowley said Maharaj’s threats did not bother him because all of the concerns raised are being taken into account in fleshing out the final plan. Rowley was confident that he would be able to sign off on a final plan “in a month or two.” He also expressed confidence that the majority of the people of East PoS would benefit significantly from the new socio-economic environment that would be created when the area is developed.

He said Manning is chairing a new Cabinet-subcommittee that is developing a spatial plan to ensure that all infrastructural developments in Trinidad and Tobago proceed in an orderly and coordinated manner. Other members of that committee are Rowley, Works and Trpansport Minister Colm Imbert, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley, Public Administration and Information Minister Dr Lenny Saith, Public Utilities Minister Pennelope Beckles and Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine. The committee is supported by a technical team led by E-Teck chairman Prof Ken Julien. Rowley said the HDC has enlisted the aid of British firm Capital and Simons to assist in developing new housing plans for Wallerfield and plans were continuing apace for the construction of 16,00 new houses in Edinburgh, Chaguanas.

The Minister said the National Energy Corporation has hired experts to develop new housing plans for La Brea, and plans to build 400 new houses in Chaguaramas would be put on hold until an environmental impact assessment is done by the Environmental Management Authority. Rowley expected that process to be complete by September and also spoke of plans for new housing developments in Mount Hope and Cocorite.