CH&PA distances self from housing developer

…after numerous impropriety complaints – sources

A housing developer whom sources indicate was once charged with fraudulent conversion of money for a house lot has since had his partnership with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) severed.
According to a notice in the daily newspapers, CH&PA informed the public that a Robert Forrester is not authorised to transact any business on behalf of the agency. The notice added that this was by order of management.
Forrester is the CEO of Icarus Construction & Development INC. It was only in August that an announcement was made of a partnership between his firm, the Communities Ministry and the New Amsterdam Municipal Council to construct a model village at Savannah Park.
It was noted that the US$3 million initiative, the first for New Amsterdam, would have all the basic amenities and sixty housing units that would cater for low, middle and high-income earners.
It was pointed out in the report that only limited spots would be available, as only a specific number could be accommodated; that successful applicants would be screened; and that the requisite documents would be cleared with the relevant lending institutions before applicants would be allocated lots. And like CH&PA’s

regular house lots, these homeowners would have a specific time in which they must build.
In an interview at the time with the media, Forrester had revealed plans for a Police outpost to be erected, in addition to commercial spaces, green areas, and a mall that would have all essential services.
However, following the publication of the notice on Sunday, sources at the CH&PA indicated that Forrester was charged back in September of 2014 with converting to his own use $1.5 million given to him to purchase a house lot. He was subsequently granted bail in the amount of $150,000. It is unclear what came out of the matter. The source noted that the CH&PA has been receiving a high number of complaints from members of the public about Forrester’s alleged financial improprieties. Guyana Times understands that these complaints have been made for some time now, but a senior CH&PA official has managed to keep them under wraps since the two share a long friendship. This newspaper was told that the notice in Sunday’s newspaper was prompted by complaints against Forrester in Berbice.
Efforts to contact CEO of CH&PA, Lelon Saul, for a comment on the matter proved futile.
CH&PA has several projects in the pipeline in a bid to provide housing solutions. Last year, under the Housing Solution 2017 and Beyond project, CH&PA completed six duplexes and two elevated units at Perseverance on the East Bank of Demerara (ECD).