Rowley says less ‘ole talk’ — less foolishness

Rowley, who at the time was speaking at a handover ceremony for NHA housing units in Point Fortin, said he made no bones about offering such advice even to a Prime Minister or a groundsman.

Rowley said: "I don’t care who you are. From Prime Minister to groundsman, if we do the job and have less ‘ole talk,’ there would be less foolishness in Trinidad and Tobago." The Housing minister reiterated that proper leadership and cooperation, "were vital to solving the nation’s problems."

He bemoaned the focus in Trinidad and Tobago on too many negatives.

Rowley was on hand yesterday for the symbolic handing over of keys to Atlantic LNG, on NHA’s behalf. The NHA built the homes at Southern Gardens, Warner Street, Point Fortin, for 71 households displaced by the pipeline laying project from Pt Galeota to Atlantic LNG.

It was disclosed that the NHA was mandated to construct the houses, all fully paid for by Atlantic LNG.

Parliamentary representative for Point Fortin Larry Achong and La Brea MP Hedwige Bureaux attended the ceremony at which Rowley announced that the Housing Ministry was currently engaged in preparing a comprehensive housing policy to address needs for adequate housing.

A draft document, he added, would soon be presented to Cabinet for approval. Rowley said that some 6,336 housing units were scheduled for completion by the end of fiscal year 2005 with another 8,000 units to be constructed next year.

He said construction would be concentrated along the East/West Corridor and other urban centres. Rowley predicted that with proper planning and management, the chronic housing shortage would be solved in the not too distant future.

Also addressing the ceremony was Atlantic LNG president, Rick Cape, who described the handing over as a "significant step towards fulfilling a promise made to our closest neighbours nearly two years ago." Cape recalled that the advent of Train IV signalled an "encroachment into the quality of life for our closest neighbours due to dust and noise."

The recipients of homes will receive keys to two and three bedroom units. Also attending the ceremony was NHA chairman, Andre Monteil, NHA executive director, Noel Garcia and Point Fortin Mayor, St Clair Natta.