The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) will spearhead the construction of the long-awaited Roxborough Administrative Complex, Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orvillle London said yesterday. Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing at Coco Reef Hotel in Tobago, London outlined plans for Tobago, approved by Cabinet, including formation of a landbank, improvements to the controversial Land Acquisition situation and acquisition of certain Tobago estates for housing.

London said the cost of the Roxborough complex has not yet been determined. The complex will house offices for THA and the Central Administrative Services Division. Nipdec also will spearhead a project to link the Store Bay Local Road with the Claude Noel Highway. An extension of the latter to Charlottesville was projected on a phased plan. On the land acquisition issue which people in T&T have complained about, including late payments for this, London said Cabinet was update on matters from as far back as 30 years.

He said a package of land acquisition legislation would be brought to Parliament for upgrade to rectify the situation. London said problems stemmed from people not applying for payment or no claims being made or when owners could not be identified. He said the upgraded legislation would make it possible for Tobagonians to get mortgages and enable them to be better able to demand payment from the state when money was owed to them. THA also plans acquiring 40 acres of the well known Friendship Estate for housing, education and recreation projects. Plans also are in the works to acquire WASA lands at Lowlands, he said.