The People’s National Party (PNP) is urging Prime Minister Andrew Holness to address the escalating tensions between the National Housing Trust (NHT) and some of its contractors.

This comes in light of reports that the NHT is encountering difficulties with specific developers responsible for constructing houses on its behalf.

According to the PNP’s junior shadow spokesperson housing and sustainable living, Kevar Bennett, one of the latest incidents involves a multibillion-dollar legal battle between the NHT and Dexim Holdings Limited.

“This matter has reached the court for adjudication. However, despite a decision being reached between the court and the parties involved, the public remains uninformed,” said Bennett.

He added, “As a public institution, the NHT expends funds contributed by taxpayers who have a right to be kept informed. I am calling upon the prime minister, who oversees the NHT, to disclose the status of cases involving Dexim Holdings Ltd and any other developers encountering issues with the NHT.”

Bennett shared that Dexim Holding was contracted to build 200 houses for the NHT at an initial price of J$12.5 million each by January 2021. However, the houses are now priced at J$18.5 million per unit.

Reports are that the construction company faced challenges completing the project due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline was subsequently pushed to August 2022.

In a lawsuit filed by the NHT, it claimed that Dexim Holding failed to deliver any of the units and was selling lots assigned to it. The construction company disputed these claims.

“This discrepancy is unacceptable and contributes to the ongoing challenge of obtaining affordable housing for essential groups such as the police, young professionals, civil servants, nurses, teachers, and persons with disabilities,” argued Bennett.

The junior spokesman raised concerns about other NHT projects, citing the delayed completion of the NHT office in May Pen, Clarendon.

“When will this building be completed? Who currently operates the office spaces occupied by the NHT in May Pen? Is it the same contractor responsible for building the NHT office in May Pen?” he questioned.

Bennett stressed that the prime minister holds a fiduciary responsibility to the people of Jamaica through his oversight of the NHT.

“I am calling upon the prime minister to provide the nation with nothing but the unadulterated truth regarding these NHT contracts with developers,” he said.

The NHT is a government body responsible for increasing and enhancing the stock of available housing in Jamaica, as well as providing financial assistance to the financially challenged contributors who wish to build, buy, or repair their homes.