Afra Raymond, Managing Director of property advisory company, Raymond & Pierre, speaks at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration, a mini-Conference on Land and Property in Trinidad and Tobago, hosted at the Centre of Excellence on Tuesday 13th December 2022. His first topic there was ‘Public Procurement law through the lens of professional responsibility‘. His second topic there was ‘Land & Housing Policy in post-Independence Trinidad and Tobago‘ that sees to the needs of poor people.
- Programme Date: 13 December 2022
- Programme Length: 00:16:02 and 00:12:38
AfraRaymond.net 
Very powerful commentary. The silence of the legal profession, UWI and other principal stakeholders is deafening and speaks volumes. Congratulations on the low cost housing initiative. This is a global need in all developing countries and in advanced develop countries..But it is impressive both on the legislative front and housing serious action designed to improve the lives of citizens is being taken. Brother you are doing the work of the government.
Cheers, Perry – I was not at all involved in those important low-cost housing movements, although I attended many meetings…I am writing-up those important lessons in my upcoming book.
Uniquely written in 2010 and tacitly tainted now because some of our professionals disregard their responsibilities to guarantee exemptions, lacunae and the forced or misdirected complicity of their employees to structurally subvert the just parameters of the procurement legislation laws, they remain toothless because our judicial infrastructure is corporate influenced. Capitalism wins again.
I am not sure in I am on the same page but, please help me here. I am low income member of society and was approved for a mortgage loan of 287. HDC is currently stated their low income houses is 400 hundred thousand. This means as a low income member of society HDC is not catering for me. HDC as today 01/25/2024, stated they are no long doing rent to own. Is this law will help someone like me.
Hello Bhola, there are two presentations in this link – please click the link in the top right-hand corner of the video so that you can see my presentation on Land & Housing Policy in post-Independence T&T…the first presentation is on the new Public Procurement law.
Yes, I saw the two presentations. I am asking you if you can your law addresses the low income problem with HDC?
Hello again, Bhola – it seems I misunderstood you – no, the new Public Procurement & Disposal of Public Property Act does not directly address the burning issue of provision of affordable housing by HDC…those provisions are in the HDC Act 2005, which is routinely breached…
Many thanks for talking time to reply. HDC is reporting as they are no long doing Rent to own for low income families. I wish you can verify this information. I strongly think they doing Rent ot Own for their friends and family. This information current as 01/29/2024.
Hello again, Bhola – I try to answer all the comments on my blog – where did you get that information about the HDC stopping the Rent to Own program?
Many, thank once again. Staff at the HDC REPORTED THIS. It was clearing stated that at present they don’t have any RENT TO OWN AND THEY CANT SAY WHEN RENT TO OWN PROGRAM WILL START BACK FOR 2024, OR IF IT WELL EVER START BACK.
I KNOW YOUR TEAM CAN VERIFY THIS INFORMATION. DO YOU HAVE WORK EMAIL FOR US TO FURTHER THIS CONVERSATION AS THERE ARE SOME THINGS I CAN’T SHARE PUBLIC .I TRULY APPRECIATE THIS.
Hello Bhola – you can email me at afraraymond@gmail.com
How can I get in touch with you by telephone
So Afra ,there is still some hope then that those earning modest incomes can own their homes and perhaps over time social as well as other critical issues can be resolved. I do believe though in a strong,vibrant middle class .Do you remember the comment made to Anthony Bourdain at the dinner hosted by the 1%ers?
May your light continue to shine.