Elizabeth Gonzales
Senior Reporter
With the national budget just days away, three Government ministers have outlined different priorities, with Housing Minister David Lee hoping for enough money to build more homes, Phillip Alexander pushing to meet the Government’s housing target, and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander putting the protection of lives ahead of his ministry’s financial allocation.
The three spoke to the media during an HDC key distribution ceremony at The Canopies at Caura yesterday.
Lee spoke of the the country’s financial challenges but said he hoped his ministry would receive what it requested.
“My wish is that we get what we are asked for,” he said.
“I know that might be very difficult given the revenues in the country at this point in time but we are hopeful that whatever we get we will make it do.”
Lee said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) had delivered at least 400 homes since the Government took office, with another 72 being handed over at the ceremony.
Another 28 units are expected shortly, bringing the total to 500.
He said the HDC also planned to construct 3,000 housing units over the next year, including through public-private partnerships.
On the Government’s proposed 20,000 homes, Lee clarified that the figure was a projection made during the election campaign.
He said investigations and audits at the HDC had delayed construction, with discrepancies uncovered involving housing units, contracts and expenditure.
Minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Alexander, meanwhile, said the Government remained committed to its housing target despite the challenges.
He said that the 20,000 homes remained a goal but said the ministry needed something to work towards.
Alexander also linked home ownership to crime reduction, saying the ministry had a responsibility to provide families with proper housing.
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said his budget priority was not simply about how much money his ministry would receive.
“My budget wish, while in terms of monetary value is important, it’s not all important to us.”
“It’s about the government saving lives and protecting families.”
He said he would make whatever allocation his ministry receives work.
The ministers spoke ahead of Monday’s national budget presentation, when the Government is expected to outline its spending priorities for the new financial year.
