A Chinese firm has been awarded the contract for the Booby Alley Housing Development Project, which is set to begin shortly. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that while the name of the company has not yet been disclosed, it has already been in contact with the Ministry of Works to prepare the site. This preparation includes the installation of essential utilities such as electricity and water.
The project, fully funded by the People’s Republic of China, is expected to construct between 150 and 200 condominium-type homes in Booby Alley. It is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months.
Upon completion, the Booby Alley project will significantly boost the nation’s housing stock and serve as a template for future developments in other areas, including Grays Farms/Greenbay and other parts of St. John’s where land availability is limited.
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Disgraceful. There are many local companies that could have benefited from this contract. This is not beyond the scope of local builders so why is it being contracted out ? Housing stock for people who can’t afford to put food on the table
This is a Chinese funded project so realistically there was no bids put out to tender. This trend of using foreign contractors cannot be overlooked nonetheless. China is not going to lend us their money without some strict terms and conditions. Even if the Chinese are funding the project and given the contract nonetheless, they should be duty bound to use Antiguan subcontractors. At the end of the project we might have an additional 200 Chinese residing permanently in Antigua and Barbuda and setting up more restaurants , retail shops and supermarkets. We are becoming more and more marginalized in our country and areas that should be earmarked, protected, preserved and safeguard for locals are shrinking ever so fast. Regrettably we find ourselves having to compete with Chinese and others in our own homeland far too often.
You hit the nail on the head. The Chinese are going to get something in return for fully funding this project. They don’t do things for other countries without getting something in return.
Guys has anyone payed attention. Why would you think this is a free lunch ? We beg in the Caribbean and think we are getting things from 1st world as kind donations. Don’t be so naive. Free doesn’t exist , it’s an illusion designed to keep you down. A college kid on a scholarship. Is that really free. ….. hell no. Someone is paying for it ….. this ham and turkeys at Christmas that we all love … free. No chance. Someone paid for them. So why on earth would the Chinese lend us the money in thier currency …. Because they are looking for a return on their investment. The interest is not enough. Using thier labour , most of thier materials is a brilliant move. Did I mention we borrow in Chinese rollers ? If you don’t understand why try and answer the question .
@Audley Phillip. September 3, 2024 At 10:32 am
“China is not going to lend us their money without some strict terms and conditions.”
Why do you always have to lie. Please if you want to remain relevant respond to the US seizing of the Venezuelan aircraft.
You know damn well that this is a gift from China. Not a loan. So surely all they will do is spend their money in China. And that is normal. It is a gift we are getting. I don’t think any local contractor would want to work for the low wages that these Chinese work.
In Europe and America they do the same thing when giving aid. Their own local contractors are the only ones to put in a bid. After all it is tax payers money they are giving away. It is not a loan.
Please please please stay above the fray. be honest and stop spinning. I will always call you out.
Are we avoiding the fact that they say their going for Graysfarm and greenbay next? Lol
These politicians give giving away everything in this country and the local is been colonized once again. No matter who’s lending the money the politicians can add stipulations to the contract about the locals must be employed. Why should they be allowed to bring in laborers, truck drivers, excavator drivers electricians plumbers what we don’t have any trade men in the country? We have these politicians lying day in day out and we sit back and swallow the garbage they’re feeding us. We have so many young people in this country not working because the politicians LIED to them still waiting for youth unemployment and we will be bringing in a plane load of Chinese immigrants to take up residence while our own people suffer at the hands of the oppressors. These politicians are spineless soulless everywhere in this country every creed of people just walk all over the generational born Antiguan.
@Sharon September 4, 2024 At 8:53 am
Are you that deaf to hear that this is not a loan. It is a grant. A gift. Just like they gave us the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium. Just like they gave us the Multi Purpose Exhibition Centre. Just like they gave us the King George the Fifth Community Centre, Just like they gave us the Big Creek Bridge. These and many more are gifts from the People’s Republic of China. They will pay for it. And yes they will spend their money with their local contractors. Because they will pay them in Chinese Money called Renminbi. And all the materials will be brought from China. And in the end we will have spanking new homes to give away to the poor of Boobey Alley. They will hand the Keys to the Prime Minister and he will take a bow.