Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
CABINET HAS approved the awarding of a contract by the National Housing Trust (NHT) valued at $2.7 billion to Kingston-based Ashtrom Building Systems for the construction of phase one of the Government's ambitious inner-city renewal housing development project.
The construction of the housing units will be done substantially in the communities surrounding the commercial district of downtown Kingston and a number of other areas in the Corporate Area, as part of the Government's efforts to improve the poor living conditions of the residents in those communities.
News of the approval of the contract first came from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Wednesday while delivering the main address at the official handing over of keys to beneficiaries of housing units in the Belle Air Meadows Housing Scheme in Dumbarton, St. Ann.
APPROVED BY CABINET
Mr. Patterson said the contract was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday during its retreat at the Sans Souci Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios. The work will commence next month.
Speaking in an interview with The Gleaner, Chairman of the NHT Kingsley Thomas said the 3,000 houses should be completed within the next three years. He said the components of the project will include infrastructural development and that smaller contractors will be employed from the various communities to carry out that aspect of the work.
