Codrington Refutes Conflict Allegations

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Tuesday, 01 May 2012 02:30

By Colin Sampson

Antigua St John's - Member of Parliament for All Saints West Chanlah Codrington has labelled as “uninformed” allegations of a conflict of interest levelled at him by his main rival for the seat.

Daven Joseph, who ran against Codrington on the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) ticket in 2009, recently suggested that there were elements of a conflict of interest surrounding a low income housing project proposed for All Saints West. The MP is on record as being in full support of the development.

Joseph noted that the investor pushing for the project is none other than Myles Codrington, brother to Chanlah Codrington.

The ALP hopeful also suggested that Codrington, from his position as junior minister in the Ministry of Lands, might have been able to influence decisions relating to the project in favour of his sibling and of his own constituency.

Additionally, Joseph raised the possibility that at least some of the lands allocated to the venture had already been distributed under the aborted “Land For Youth” programme conceived under the ALP and pursued by its successor United Progressive Party (UPP).

Speaking to CARIBARENA.COM on Monday, Chanlah Codrington delivered a spirited refutation of the allegations.

“I do not believe he even knows where the lands in question are,” he said.

Confirming that the 10 acres of government lands are located in the Lightfoot area, the MP said categorically that none of those lands had ever been part of any “Land For Youth” subdivision. Nor, he said, had any of those lands ever been deeded to any person.

Codrington told CARIBARENA.COM that the acreage was being provided by the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CHAPA) as part of a joint venture with his brother, who is the moving spirit and sole local investor behind the project. Myles Codrington, a heavy equipment operator, recently became proprietor of Midland Building Supplies & Aggregates.

It was Myles, said Chanlah Codrington, who presented the proposal to Minister of Lands & Housing Hilson Baptiste. The proposal found favour both with minister Baptiste and with the CHAPA board of directors, and CHAPA accordingly submitted a circulation note to Cabinet, which duly gave the project the go-ahead.

The feisty MP for All Saints West emphasized that he had been required to mount an aggressive effort to ensure that the low income housing development became a reality in his own constituency.

“Some of my colleagues wanted the project for their own areas,” Codrington said. “Some of them had their eyes on it. I had to remind them that up to this point in time, not one thing has been done for the people of All Saints West. I made it clear that I am determined to have something to show for my years representing the constituency, and that this housing development is it.”

Chanlah Codrington categorically rejected the notion that there were any elements of a conflict of interest involved in the affair, noting that all the correct procedures had been adhered to. The MP clearly regards the issue as one of effective representation, and of properly utilizing the machinery of government in his role as a member of Parliament.

The 10 acres of land are to be subdivided into 60 house plots. The basic housing unit will offer two bedrooms and one bathroom. A three-bedroom unit will also be available for an extra premium. With a projected basic selling price of $160,000, these homes conform more to a definition of “low income” than some developments recently undertaken.

Buyers will be expected to make their own arrangements with financing institutions. MP Codrington advised that efforts are underway to secure concessionary terms as far as deposit requirements. Negotiations to that effect are in progress, the MP reported.

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