$191M Citrus Close Housing Project Faces Scrutiny as Alexander Challenges Contract Procedures and Costs

The $191 million Citrus Close Housing Project, meant to deliver 191 apartments in East Port of Spain, is under scrutiny due to concerns about its cost and progress. Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Phillip Alexander, has raised questions about the procurement process and the substantial amount of money already spent, despite the project being only 10 percent complete.

Alexander visited the stalled development site along the Eastern Main Road, highlighting that more than $50 million of the budget had been spent. He pointed out a $54 million discrepancy between the winning contract bid and a lower competitor, suggesting potential inefficiencies.

The project, which began under the previous PNM administration, initially quoted a base contract sum of $170 million. It was intended to create rental apartments alongside amenities like a basketball court and daycare center. However, the promised November 2025 completion date is in jeopardy, with construction having stalled shortly after it began in March 2024.

Further complicating matters, former Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Regis has yet to respond to recent allegations about the project’s management. Meanwhile, the Housing Development Corporation is auditing its stalled projects, including Citrus Close, as part of a broader review of the housing programme.

For residents waiting for affordable housing, the central concern remains: how did the project reach only about 10 percent completion after such significant spending, and what will the taxpayers ultimately receive for their investment?