Dear Editor,
The explanation provided by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller regarding the National Housing Trust (NHT) purchase of the Orange Grove/Valley (Outameni) property speaks to the continued insult of intelligence of the Jamaican population.
The NHT has far outgrown its original mandate with assets greater than the commercial banks. But instead of investing and redirecting the finances to meet the needs of the emerging population, the Trust has opted to invest in tourism. Unless there is gold or some precious gem of great national value on the acreage of the property, then $180 million is overpriced. Whether or not it included "property, a generator, fuel tank and office furniture", it's still overpriced and it doesn't take a realty valuator to tell. Don't insult our intelligence.
A scan of the lands available for sale in Trelawny, some much larger than this property, are significantly lower in price. What's so great about this one that we had to spend $180 million with the intention of investing more? Does it have a significant role in national development, more specifically housing and infrastructure?
If the NHT is unsure as to where to allocate the funds, then they can increase the loan limit to professionals who can afford it. If they had any clue what the real estate market was like, they would know that $4.5 million cannot buy a house, much less a studio apartment. Don't even start on the starter homes, if you spin your roll three times you knock the wall twelve times.
Mrs Simpson Miller, don't annoy me. As the prime minister, such a large transaction came to your attention after the media carried it? Clearly there's a disconnect between yourself, the Cabinet and the public agencies. Are people like Easton Douglas allowed to enter into such deals without your approval or knowledge? Just be honest with us, this is our consolidated fund, you are accountable to us and not yourself.
Timothy Cawley
cawley.timothy@gmail.com
Don't continue to insult our intelligence, PM
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The explanation provided by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller regarding the National Housing Trust (NHT) purchase of the Orange Grove/Valley (Outameni) property speaks to the continued insult of intelligence of the Jamaican population.
The NHT has far outgrown its original mandate with assets greater than the commercial banks. But instead of investing and redirecting the finances to meet the needs of the emerging population, the Trust has opted to invest in tourism. Unless there is gold or some precious gem of great national value on the acreage of the property, then $180 million is overpriced. Whether or not it included "property, a generator, fuel tank and office furniture", it's still overpriced and it doesn't take a realty valuator to tell. Don't insult our intelligence.
A scan of the lands available for sale in Trelawny, some much larger than this property, are significantly lower in price. What's so great about this one that we had to spend $180 million with the intention of investing more? Does it have a significant role in national development, more specifically housing and infrastructure?
If the NHT is unsure as to where to allocate the funds, then they can increase the loan limit to professionals who can afford it. If they had any clue what the real estate market was like, they would know that $4.5 million cannot buy a house, much less a studio apartment. Don't even start on the starter homes, if you spin your roll three times you knock the wall twelve times.
Mrs Simpson Miller, don't annoy me. As the prime minister, such a large transaction came to your attention after the media carried it? Clearly there's a disconnect between yourself, the Cabinet and the public agencies. Are people like Easton Douglas allowed to enter into such deals without your approval or knowledge? Just be honest with us, this is our consolidated fund, you are accountable to us and not yourself.
Timothy Cawley
cawley.timothy@gmail.com
Don't continue to insult our intelligence, PM
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