Thomas
Susan Smith, Staff Reporter
"THE PROJECT is substantially on schedule. Construction has started on three sites," says Kingsley Thomas, chairman of the National Housing Trust (NHT) referring to the Government's $2.7 billion inner-city housing renewal project. "The sites are Spanish Town Road, King Street in Denham Town and Trench Town. Based on the schedule we should have units ready for occupancy by early next year."
But while Mr. Thomas speaks with conviction of an on-track schedule, those closer to the project or with vested interests are still unable to chart its progress.
A month after the project was announced, the public expected to see foundations being laid and when this never happened, curiosity was aroused in many.
Yet until now, only the NHT seems to have full information on what is really happening with the project.
Ashtrom Building Systems, the leading contractor for the project, has not verified NHT's claim.
When asked by Sunday Business about the stage of construction, Ashtrom's project manager, Rami Hazaz, replied, "We have not yet started the construction."
He made it clear that Ashtrom was not only in charge of the infrastructural or foundational work but was also contracted to build full units.
Nonetheless, the company's administrative officer, Cecilia Maxwell-Lewis' assessment of the situation presents a different view: "It just started recently, only last month as a matter of fact. We started infrastructural work but no unit has yet been erected."
Morin Seymour, managing director of the Kingston Restoration Company, could only speculate on the progress of the project. He could not verify whether it was "substantially" on schedule as Mr. Thomas claimed.
His speculations are based on the preparations he thinks NHT will have to do before laying the actual foundation. He sees it as very important that the communities in question are made aware of the changes to come.
He was unable to give an accurate update on the matter saying, "I do not have a tracking mechanism on it. They should have broken ground officially two weeks ago, but the invitation was cancelled."
The project was schedule to commence in October 2003. The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has no commitment to the project but no doubt is keeping an eye on developments. It has no ideas as to this project's schedule targets.
Executive chairman for the UDC, Dr. Vin Lawrence's only comment on the matter was "As far I know the project is progressing." He did not comment on whether the programme was on schedule or not.
Nevertheless, in spite of the uncertainties, the NHT is adamant that everything is on track.
Hortense Rose, director of communications, said that the construction phase of the project actually started on April 23, 2004 which is six months later than the date given in September 2003 by Mr. Thomas.
"Phase one of the project will be completed for May 2005 with a total of 533 units," she said.
When asked if the NHT had a list of occupants lined up for the houses, she replied, "We have already identified the occupants for these units."
