By Nagra Plunkett, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE NATIONAL Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) says it will soon implement the much-needed infrastructure development, including electricity and proper roads, at the Retirement Phase One project in St. James.
Manager of Project Implemen-tation at the NHDC, Paul Buchanan, told The Gleaner that his company "is moving to correct" the problem as soon as the proper documentation is in place, within the next three weeks.
"The Minister of Water and Housing, Donald Buchanan, recently announced a 12-point plan, which every provident society has to adhere to. It calls for, among other things, audited financial statements, annual general meetings, and an established stakeholders body that is functioning," Mr. Buchanan explained.
IRATE RESIDENTS
Residents of the former squatter settlement, located four miles south of the centre of Montego Bay, are irate that the absence of electricity and roadway does not allow for proper policing. They also contend that there has been an increase in crime and violence in the area.
"Recently, two members of that community were brutally murdered by unknown assailants and there have been several reported cases of housebreaking and larceny," Dave Allen, Chairman of the Retirement Development Trust (RDT), stated. "Had it not been for Councillor Michael Troupe, they would not have access to domestic water."
OPERATION PRIDE PROJECT
According to Mr. Allen, Retirement was a pilot project under Operation PRIDE, which began in 1995. Operation PRIDE is a sub-project of the NHDC and has a mandate to provide low-income housing. Presently, there are three PRIDE sites in the community of Retirement.
The chairman added that the RDT was established in 1994 as a registered entity under the Industrial and Providential Society Act. The Trust commenced a development process to provide some 500 affordable housing solutions, and sustainable neighbourhood, through a participatory process. "With the saturation of the northern section of the city with over 17 informal communities and several blighted lot lease premises. It is impe-rative that this growth corridor, which includes Barnett South, Pitfour, and Granville, is properly planned," Allen added.
