00:00This is the Housing Development Corporation. This is the Ministry of Housing. It's not the Ministry of Gangland, it's not
00:08the Ministry of Ghetto, it's not the Ministry of Squalid Living. Regardless of the value of the place and how
00:14much people pay, if they pay $50 to live, they should be getting a good quality of life for their
00:19$50.
00:19Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Philip Alexander, speaking during a visit to the Riverside Development in Port of Spain,
00:27as he continues his nationwide HTC tour.
00:32During the tour, officials identified a number of issues, including unauthorized electricity connections and the occupation of units that were
00:42previously condemned.
00:44These units are supposed to be condemned and empty.
00:50So, we would like to know how you'll come to be in possession of it and giving it.
00:58Because, in the past few years, we've been going through a process with it, you see.
01:04When we enter, we get the toll, it's a right to manage it.
01:08Regarding?
01:10We are staying in the apartment, I think.
01:12The resident further claims that MP4 Port of Spain South, Keith Scotland, had been assisting them with getting their living
01:20arrangements regularized with the authorities.
01:24Who are you paying rent to now?
01:26We are not paying rent.
01:27So, all that was a process.
01:28We went to our MPs also.
01:32Mr Keith Scotland.
01:34Mr Keith Scotland told you it is okay for you to occupy?
01:37Yes, we were here.
01:39Here is the reason why we are still here up to this day.
01:41Because the last time with him, through him, we got the meeting in AGC.
01:47Minister Alexander has vowed to investigate the matter.
01:51However, he admits, issues of eviction, regularization and relocation are rarely straightforward and require careful consideration.
02:02Is it that the ETC would look at just giving her the legal standings?
02:07I cannot say.
02:08I cannot say.
02:10And I want to say this.
02:11And in my song, Harsh, we have 215,000 people who are legitimately, patiently following the rules to get a
02:18house.
02:19And if we encourage people to seize a house and occupy it and then feel sorry for them and say,
02:23well, take it.
02:24And what's the message?
02:25Anarchy and chaos.
02:27So, the legal department, the chairman, the managing director, the board of the HEC, they're going to make some decisions
02:33here.
02:33Meantime, MP Scotland tells TV6 News, he's rejecting any suggestion that he has endorsed any unlawful occupation of HTC units.
02:44People came for assistance who did not have legitimacy.
02:49And I wrote a letter on their behalf, seeking assistance, legitimate assistance and a legitimate intervention of the HTC on
03:01their behalf.
03:02Not to occupy any place illegally, but to assist them in getting a legal occupation.
03:09Anybody who's homeless, who's in my constituency, I would do, I would, as I would do for any constituent, make
03:17a legitimate, formal intervention.
03:19And that's exactly what I did.
03:21I'm part of no backer now or no illegality.
03:25Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
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