Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Defects on Turn-key houses to be corrected by weekend
…average of $400,000 spent thus far on each home
The average cost to rectify one turn-key home thus far, at Perseverance on the East
Repairs to the 200 defective turn-key homes will be completed by the end of this week.
Bank Demerara, is approximately $400,000, an official from the Ministry of Communities said yesterday.
Project Manager, Kennard Dazzell, who is overseeing some of the works being carried out at the housing development, told media operatives yesterday during a tour, that the overall cost to carry out works on the 200 buildings could not be provided at that time.
He reported, also, that of the 200 homes, approximately 168 have been allocated. The highly controversial turn-key homes, which made headlines some years ago, was launched by the former regime – now Main Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
The aim was to provide low income families with homes at affordable prices. The project however, faced criticisms from the start since there were no clear indications of the procedures that were used to hire contractors.
Upon the completion of several of the homes, it was observed that some were not properly
Project Manager, Kennard Dazzell, being interviewed by the media at Perseverance on the East Bank Demerara yesterday.
constructed. This led to fingers being pointed at the executing agency, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the then Minister responsible for Housing, Irfaan Ali.
Many persons, who purchased defective homes, opted to vacate while many turned up at picket lines demanding refunds. Others remained in these homes risking life and limb since the defects ranged from ‘splitting walls’, shifting roofs and separation of internal components.
After the change in Government in May 2015, the new CH&PA board launched investigations into various housing programmes, including the turnkey project.
A key official had told Kaieteur News that there existed a “wild-west” situation when it came to ensuring value for money and the turnkey homes.
Dazzell said yesterday that the CH&PA is in the final stage of completing rehabilitative works on these homes.
The Project Manager said that works began last September and the homes will be 100 percent completed by the end of the week.
Dazzell explained that the corrective works had a bit of delay over some administrative issues.
The cost to rehabilitate these homes will not affect the overall price of the houses which will remain at $4.9M, the official explained.
Meanwhile, it is expected that some 800 turn-key homes will be constructed this year. This was according to the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, during a media engagement last January.
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