Booby Alley homeowners finally accept offer

The longstanding refusal by the homeowners of a single property at Booby Alley
that has delayed work on the social housing programme, has been amicably settled.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the parliamentary representative for the area who
has viewed the project as a critical element of the development and transformation
of the Point Area, reported to the Cabinet that there was no need to enforce the
Eminent Domain authority approved by the House of Representatives just last
week.
PM Browne reported that the owners have voluntarily stepped forward and
consummated the offer that had been on the table before the Parliamentary action.
“The cleared land will shortly be handed over to the Chinese engineers who will be
assessing the site for various measurements required, before the start of
construction. More than 100 households will be constructed on the land and those
displaced will have the first opportunity to acquire new homes,” according to a
government spokesman.
This was the last hurdle standing in the way of the start-up of the project, which
will likely serve as a model for further housing development in congested urban
areas. The Antigua and Barbuda government is on record, promising to transform
the housing stock in the country. Already more than 1200 homes have been built
and more have been promised to be completed over the next several years.
Meanwhile, next Tuesday the Cabinet will tour several housing projects completed
by National Housing and CHAPA to give a first-hand view of more than 1000 new
homes built by the Gaston Browne administration, since taking office. Hundreds of
additional homes are to be constructed around the country, with keys handed over
immediately upon completion.