Sahadeo: 3,045 plots for ex-Caroni workers

GOVERNMENT has allocated 3,045 lots on which former Caroni workers and their families will be allowed to build homes. Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo, made this announcement at Thursday’s post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall. Minister Sahadeo said the lands are located at Calcutta Settlement Road, Couva (70 lots), Corinth/Petit Bourne (215 lots), Picton (210 lots), Exchange (216 lots), Balmain (240 lots), Edinburgh (234 lots), Korea Village, Edinburgh (60 lots), Esperanza (60 lots), Exchange Section (510 lots), Factory Rd (660 lots) and Caroni Village (570 lots).

She said former Caroni workers could apply for lands both for agriculture and housing, with the only condition being that they would not be allowed to build houses on lands specifically designated for approved agricultural activities. Sahadeo reiterated that 17 sites have already been identified for distribution. The lands belonged to the former Caroni (1975) Ltd for agricultural purposes and the Agriculture Ministry would conduct this process on a phased basis. Phase One involves the distribution of 900 acres of land at Waterloo, Reform, Exchange and Caroni. The Minister indicated that community walkabouts to encourage former Caroni workers who had not joined the retraining programmes being offered, to do so. Sahadeo launched the first of these walkabouts in Basta Hall on Thursday.