A recommendation in 2010 to halt construction of multi-storey apartment buildings at Las Alturas housing project site was ignored by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). This was among the submissions made yesterday at the commission of enquiry into the housing project by its lead counsel, Pamela Elder, SC, at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, on the first day evidence was brought forward.
The attorney referred to serveral reports, dating back to 2006, during her submissions which supported her argument about the defects of starting construction at the Lady Young Gardens, Morvant, site. One of the stated reports found that the soil at the site was unsuitable to support the buildings. Two of the nine multi-storey units of the housing project began to fall apart after construction and were later earmarked for demolition.
Elder, reading from a 2006 report by Geotech Associates Ltd (GA), said: “It is apparent that the disturbed material is unsuitable and prone to landsliding once the two supports on a slope are removed." She said the commission had to consider whether the HDC knew of the findings before deciding to hire China Jiangsu Corporation to construct the buildings.
However, Elder said another company, contracted by the HDC, Planning Associates Ltd (PAL), which drew the design for the site layout had submitted a master plan that clearly outlined the problem. The report, according to Elder, states: “Units A and B on the northern end of the site were in advanced construction when on-site investigations confirmed that the stability of the southern end of the site was suspect."
She submitted that PAL asked its implementing agency, Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott), for authorisation to proceed with recommendations made by Geotech. That authorisation, however, never materialised, said Elder. She added: "On the 1st of May 2006, PAL forwarded to Udecott, GA's 2006 report.
“In the covering letter, PAL expressly referred to the recommendations contained in the report. About three weeks later, PAL, by letter dated May 24, 2006, asked Udecott for advice on the engagement of GA to undertake the recommended tests. “Notwithstanding the importance of this request, PAL received no authorisation from Udecott for the performance of the tests." Elder told the commission that the cost to stabilise the slope was estimated in 2014 at more than US$2 million (TT$12 million). Elder will continue her submission when the hearings resume this morning.
at a glance
The commission of enquiry was set up to investigate “the entire process which led to the construction of the Las Alturas towers at Lady Young gardens, Morvant, and all other acts, matters or decisions done or undertaken incidental to and including the construction” of the project, which includes the procurement process.
Two multi-storey units of the Las Alturas housing project began falling apart after construction and the $26 million towers were to be demolished. They were part of a larger project, which was originally budgeted for $65 million and then rose to $90 million. The commission is chaired by former Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim. The members are civil engineers, Dr Myron Wing-Sang Chin and Anthony Farrell. Attorney Laraine Lutchmedial is the secretary.
They were appointed by President Anthony Carmona last December. The enquiry continues today at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. Last September, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recommended an enquiry into the project after raising concerns about the two towers which had to be demolished.
Persad-Bissessar said Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, who was a former housing minister under the PNM, as well as Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, who succeeded him, have distanced themselves from blame. Rowley said then he welcomed the probe but said it would be another waste of millions of taxpayers’ dollars.