Still no post-construction site visit by StAMC at Pyramid Point
Published:Wednesday | April 10, 2024 | 12:07 AMRochelle Clayton/Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST ANN Municipal Corporation is yet to conduct site visits after the full completion of the building phase at the luxury homes plagued by mould and structural issues at Pyramid Point in Ocho Rios.
However, CEO Jennifer Brown-Cunningham says due diligence was observed by her officers in the carrying out of their duties during the construction phase of the development.
In a Gleaner article published three weeks ago, two residents shared frustrations over the quality of their newly built homes. The women, who are both returning residents, paid approximately $55 million for their homes, but were left flabbergasted when they discovered that the microorganism was growing on their furniture.
In addition, the women complained bitterly of a foul stench coming from the toilets inside their three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom homes built by Manukah Development Limited.
Irate residents have reported their concerns to the St Ann Health Department, among other government agencies. The parish’s chief public health inspector, Leroy Scott, told The Gleaner that they have investigated a few properties in the housing development.
He confirmed that mould was observed inside the homes visited by the health department.
“The requests kept coming, so we couldn’t keep up with the number of requests that we have. We found, however, that there are justifications to the complaints in relation to the presence of mould,” Scott said then.
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), in an emailed response shared with The Gleaner, outlined that they recognised the presence of mould, faulty water heater and prevailing sewer odour in one of the women’s units.
An absence of outdoor ventilation covers and labels for the electrical panel was also observed by the agency.
However, Brown-Cunningham, in an emailed response to The Gleaner, said no reports of mould or other issues have been shared with the local authority.
“The municipal corporation has not seen any written reports from the Health Department or National Environment and Planning Agency to suggest that there is a public health issue. Therefore, the municipality cannot confirm same.”
She stated that the municipal corporation was made aware of issues at Pyramid Point through the work of reporters, and further reinforced a commitment made three weeks ago to have representatives from the St Ann Municipal Corporation visit the homes of the complainants.
“There was no formal report made to the corporation on the issue. However, since the media has highlighted the issue, a site visit will be arranged,” said Brown-Cunningham.
When asked whose responsibility it was to hold housing developers responsible when issues arise after purchasing homes, Brown-Cunningham told The Gleaner that, “The client would be required to take legal action on the developers if the issues fall outside the parameters for planning and building standards.”
NO REPORTS TO DATE
Brown-Cunningham, however, maintained that she cannot intervene through her office as CEO of the local authority, since she is yet to receive a report on the matter.
“The corporation has not seen any reports from the agencies to make a definite assessment.”
In the meantime, the CEO told The Gleaner that officers at the St Ann Municipal Corporation acted responsibly in carrying out their duties during the construction of Pyramid Point.
She shared that inspections were conducted by during various phases of construction including, “foundation reinforcement in foundation, block wall, columns, and stiffeners before casting concrete or blocks laid” and “reinforcement in beams and lintels before casting concrete”.
Officers from the municipal corporation also revisited the construction site to conduct “inspection of sewage treatment and disposal system at 50 per cent completion”, and again “at 90 per cent completion”, Brown-Cunningham explained.
The CEO also rubbished the claims made that corruption may have played a role in the quality of the buildings at Pyramid Point.
“To the best of my knowledge the officers of the St Ann Municipal Corporation [have] acted as required by law.”
The luxurious gated community of Pyramid Point reportedly consists of newly constructed two-bedroom houses priced at US$255,000 each, and three-bedroom units starting at US$295,000.
With a view overlooking the Ocho Rios harbour, the scheme is advertised as featuring several modern, state-of-the-art amenities.
The development reportedly targets returning residents who are looking to enjoy high-end luxury living in Ocho Rios.