Feeroz Khan, Chairman of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), recently revealed a debt of over $600 million owed to contractors. Khan attributed this debt to poor construction management under the previous PNM government. Over the past decade, the HDC built an average of 400 houses annually. However, the cost was hugely inflated, with houses valued at approximately $500,000 being constructed at around $2 million each. Khan alleged that overpayments benefited the friends and financiers of the PNM. He argued that if funds were properly managed, about 12,000 homes could have been built to help alleviate Trinidad and Tobago’s housing shortage. Khan also pointed out examples of wasteful expenditure, such as $80,000 per month for grass cutting in Couva and overpayments to contractors and suppliers exceeding $20 million. Khan assured that the HDC now has a recovery plan and will increase housing production at an affordable rate to balance demand and supply.
Follow us on Instagram: @news.tringlobe
