The PSA's housing project in La Forteresse, Long Circular Road, was expected to be completed August 2008. Construction began in April 2007. La Forteresse comprises 45 townhouses, 38 duplex units and 10 tri-level units. Commenting on the project, Duke said the union hopes to see it completed by July 2010. The project has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. "I spoke with Daniel Lambert, the developer, who was chosen by the last regime for the project and he said the houses would be ready by July."
Duke said it is obvious the project has its "challenges." "It's quite clear from passersby that the project has its challenges, but I don't want to get into that at this time. "We are giving the developer all the opportunities required to get the project done. If by July, it is not finished or it's far from being completed, we will have to revisit our stance on it and take all necessary action to clear the PSA's good name."
Downpayments
Duke said people have paid money and are expecting their homes.
"We can't keep people in perpetual uncertainty. People have paid at various different stages of the project. At the foundation level, they paid money at the blocking stage, at the roofing stage. People have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in this and they have a legitimate expectations. For each individual unit, it ranges from $1.7 million to $2.5 million."
The people who are interested are business people or public officers, like doctors who have their private practice, Duke said. "We have no alternative to be optimistic about the completion of the project. We hope they could deliver because it places us in a more favourable situation for any similar future endeavours." The PSA also has plans for a housing project in Valencia, which has not officially started yet. "It's the same in Valencia. The land has been acquired, but no buildings built as yet. It's the same developer and about 100 to 200 units will be built."
