Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein is defending the Government’s LandmarkTT Housing initiative, insisting that the programme places no burden on taxpayers.
LandmarkTT Properties Ltd was officially incorporated in February 2026, with the aim of bridging the gap between land availability and the increasing demand for unsubsidised, high-quality housing, targeting mid- to upper-income earners.
Minister Hosein rejected claims that developers are being given State lands at undervalued prices, adding that no public financing is involved.
“There is political mischief when inaccurate and bogus information is spewed in the public domain that lands were transferred to the developer at peppercorn rate. That is absolutely untrue. Under our PPP model, I reiterate, no State lands were transferred to any developer. The developer has to get their own financing. Following the design-build finance model and agreed payment schedule, the contractor is responsible for funding the entire development cost. No money will be collected by the developer until the units are actually sold.”
Minister Hosein defended the selection process in the Allamby Residential Development project in Corinth, San Fernando.
“I am advised that on the Allamby site, a selective, competitive procurement method was utilised for the selection of the developer, all of whom were already registered on the OPR depository as contractors in that line of business. And the successful developer in this case was Motilal Ramhit & Sons Contracting Ltd. This was not a single source selection. I am further advised that the OPR did not halt the works at that site.”
He confirmed the Office of the Procurement Regulator (OPR) formally requested answers from Landmark TT, adding that it has already complied.
“I’m advised, Mr. Speaker, that by letter dated the 20th of April, 2026, from the Office of the Procurement Regulator to LandmarkTT, the OPR indicated that it received formal complaints in relation to the Allamby project. OPR requested that Landmark provide a response within seven working days of their letter. I’m further advised that Landmark responded within the time frame. I am further advised that the OPR made another request to LandmarkTT for further information. LandmarkTT is cooperating with the OPR on this request, and we await the OPR’s response.”
The Minister also set the record straight: “I wish to state to this House that none of my family members have received any government contracts.”