Housing project gets going in St George

Housing Minister William Duguid says he is committed to providing “hundreds” of housing solutions for working-class Barbadians, while simultaneously providing jobs for dozens affected by the economic fallout of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Addressing a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, for the construction of 15 houses at Todds, St George, the minister said the development was the first of its kind in almost ten years, but one that would become more regular under his tenure.

He added that 15 small contractors had been hired to construct the houses which are priced as low as $145,000.

“We are committed to getting hundreds of houses done, but this is where we are going to start. The journey of a thousand steps starts with the first one, and this is the first one. It has been almost 10 years since the NHC [National Housing Corporation] has had a groundbreaking ceremony to build houses, but we are starting now and we are not stopping this train,” Duguid promised.

“We recognize that there is a great need for housing in Barbados and we are trying to fill that need as best as we can,” he added.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom structures to be constructed at Todds will sit on 3,500 square foot plots and will provide adequate room for expansion, Duguid further revealed.

He explained that $5 per square feet plots price point has been facilitated by competitive prices from the small contractors involved in the project. He promised to retain them for the government’s Home Ownership Providing Energy (HOPE) if the work is done properly.

Duguid further revealed that Lower Burney, St Michael, Coconut Hall, and Colleton in St. Lucy, Concordia Gardens, St Phillip, and Chancery Lane in Christ Church are all earmarked for similar developments.

“The contractors have actually complained that I am forcing them to keep the prices down, but we have to understand that the most important thing we need to do is to get our people working. You are not going to make the same amount that you would have made pre-COVID, but it will get our people working,” he added.

Parliamentary representative for St George South Dwight Sutherland declared it “a wonderful day” for the people of Todds, who have been neglected by a lack of housing solutions, road infrastructure, and recreational facilities. He however appealed for existing residents and those in surrounding areas to be given priority when the new houses are completed.

“That is how we truly enfranchise and empower working-class people. That is how we truly give people an opportunity to have their fair share in development and to put bread on their tables, to send to school their kids. I would hope that the residents of Todd’s would be given priority to own their own homes,” said Sutherland.

He also did not mince words about the deplorable condition of numerous roads throughout his constituency.

“There are at least three roads leading into Todds and all three are in a deplorable state. Even though I am happy with the housing solutions that the minister has brought, and this government… I also want a quick fix for the road infrastructure in Todds. I would be happy when I see the road leading to Todds fixed,” he declared. kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb