When Manning was sidelining Rowley, he, Rowley, was bawling all over the place that he was the best Minister of Housing having built so many houses but he was building thousands after thousands of defective houses.

I would like to know if the Government with taxpayers dollars or contractors built those houses what I am trying to say If someone was contracted to build those houses or the Government workers built them they should be the one to repair those houses not the present Government with more taxpayers dollars correct me if I am wrong some I need to know. It is the same like paying for the buses.

Rectification cost contractors and consultants responsibility

"Oropouche West Member of Parliament Roodal Moonilal says $99 million will be needed to [repair newly constructed] housing developments." Taxpayers' dollars were used to finance land development and construction of these houses. By choice contractors and consultants hired to do the work used substandard building methods and materials to do the work. What else explains thousands of newly built houses awash with construction defects?

Now, to solve the problem taxpayers are targeted as the body to bear the burden of paying to fix the flawed houses? This is as ridiculous as the burden placed on taxpayers to bailout Clico. Obviously any rectification cost is the responsibility of contractors and consultants? Well not that obvious judging from Moonilal's statements on the matter. You'd think the greedy, corrupt people who caused this mess would be called to pay for it, but no, the responsibility is latched to the backs of taxpayers - the easy way out.

It's not as if contractors and consultants were stifled of money, materials and other resources while they were building. The former PNM government pumped money into housing construction as if the money would never run out. They imported labour to do the work. They ignored authorities from several quarters who urged them to stop wasting money, buying overpriced materials and paying for unnecessary external labour and mis-managing construction consultants.

Between contractors and consultants sharing the burden of this cost the former PNM should also be made to share the burden.

Minister Roodal Moonilal - DECORUM - You are now in a prestigious portfolio in our government. There are certain professional standards that you must strive to uphold. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar promised us that you would be 'servants of the people' and would serve with humility. Did I understand her correctly?

You are no kid off the street; you are an educated individual holding a Ph.D. in Development Studies and a qualified lawyer - LLB. In every one of your studies you must have been taught H.R. So you do know the ropes and I do not have to spell out the text for you - propriety and confidentiality.

When you are out and about engaging in the peoples business we expect you to conduct yourself with propriety and good taste.

You addressing the business of the PNM owing the PTSC/State/people monies, out in the public square, for services rendered, is engaging in conduct unbecoming of an employee in our government. It is in bad taste and reflects negatively upon you and our government.

There are guidelines which must be followed as in every business. You prepare the statement/invoice and forward same to the client/customer, who is this case is the PNM. If they do not pay their outstanding debts on time, then you proceed to the next stage in your attempts to collect our money; but you do not do so in the public square. Without a doubt your aim was to embarrass the PNM and its Leader, Dr. Rowley. Minister Moonilal you ought to know better.

The PTSC/State/people is the business enterprise and the PNM is the customer. Would you Minister Moonilal want your dealership or bank rep. to come out in the public and discuss any debta you may have outstanding? Don't think so; as your business dealings are confidential transactions between you.

Should the PNM not pay their outstanding debts, you can proceed through the courts to collect what's due to the PTSC/State/people, and if you must then you do like you are currently doing with the property of Abu Bakr. Without a doubt, all debts owing to the State/people must be paid, no matter who the individual may be. Do hope that I was able to communicate my message to you.

Yes, Minister Moonilal, I do realise that in yesterday's news article Dr. Rowley entered your personal realm and addressed your home mortgage. His behaviour reflected that of a 'street vagabond', and he too should not be excused.

The behaviour that both of you have engaged in is unacceptable and unsavory.

Do you realise that the younger generation are watching our government employees and copying their behaviours. You are role models whether you recognise it or not. We complain about the unruly behaviour of our youths, yet we adults are the most guilty culprits of the lot. If we can 'fix' the adults we can proceed to 'fixing' the youths, our adults of tomorrow. It's as good a place to start.

The election campaigns are over, and so too should the dirty games. It is now time to get down to doing the peoples' business, and leave those shenanigans out in some back alley where they belong.

Decorum is desired, Sirs.

I'll leave the 'design/build' housing construction/refurbish housing developments commentary for those who are qualified. This is not my forte.

Submitted with the utmost respect for Minister Moonilal and Dr. Rowley.

Gardenia

CRoss

I liked the idea of advertising these houses for sale "as is, where at" and reducing the cost of purchase to persons who are on The Housing Development's LIST OF QUALIFED PROSPECTIVE homeowners.

Questions:

1)Who were the contractors for all these government houses?

2)Why are they not being charge for defrauding the government of Trinidad and Tobago for building defective houses?

3)Why are the contractors not liable for their mistakes?

4)Why do we have to pay for the contractors mistakes?

5)Who are the new contractors that are going to fix these defects?

6)Will the new contractors give us any warranty or assurances on these homes?