SAN FERNANDO East MP Brian Manning has welcomed the start of the multi-million-dollar construction of the high-rise City Heights housing development in his constituency. for which the sod was turned on Tuesday.

Manning said this is the kind of project San Fernando needs and which he welcomes.

“It is an opportunity to really create jobs, create opportunities and improve lives in San Fernando.

“We thank the organisation for creating the opportunities, for creating more housing stock for the entire constituency – something we certainly have a shortage of and we hope to invite and create more of the same as we move forward.”

The development will see three six-storey buildings, comprising 90 apartments in a gated community on state land leased to the Furness Group of Companies. Construction will take 30 months, Apartments which will go on the market in November, will be sold at a cost of $1.2 million for a two-bedroom unit and $1.5 million for three bedrooms.

It is a private partnership being undertaken by the Furness Group of Companies and Housing Solutions, with assistance from the Government.

[caption id="attachment_977608" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chairman and CEO of Home Solutions, Luis Dini, speaks at the sod turning for City Heights housing development at the San Fernando By-pass and Naparima Mayaro Road on Tuesday morning. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]

Manning said promises have been made to use labour from within San Fernando, which he is extremely happy about.

The ceremony saw the Prime Minister being joined by William Ferreira, CEO of the Furness Group, and Luis Dini, director of Home Solutions, to turn the sod,

San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi said he can vouch for the contractor's using local employment.

“If you go to Carlton Lane, (where Dini recently completed another housing project), you will see what local employment produced.

“Luis Dini is no stranger to San Fernando. He has built three spectacular buildings in Carlton Lane...in the middle of the pandemic.

"This particular project is a Udecott project. Udecott has done a combination of factors, such as the state land change of use, and assisted with the environmental clearance aspects.

“The anchoring of this project is to create and stimulate and create employment proper. It is our intention as MPs for San Fernando West and East to stimulate San Fernando."

He referred to Monday’s budget presentation in which Finance Minister Colm Imbert allocated millions for development of the San Fernando Waterfront, which takes in the Skinner Park upgrade and improved road network.

“In the budget you heard us speak to the particulars of the waterfront arrangement - $226 million in one area. There are nine aspects – $20 million, $47 million, $97 million – so the Government’s priority for development in San Fernando is significant.”

[caption id="attachment_977607" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chairman and CEO of the Furness Trinid