00:00New airport opening, I would want to give that day probably in a day or two from now.
00:16The airport is ready. We are ready.
00:18We can see that it is ready from the outside.
00:21Yeah, we put in some wood there.
00:24From the outside, it's beautiful.
00:26I hope you're going to be proud and be happy for it.
00:29It is a welcome asset.
00:30The PNM government at the time in 2022 were challenged legally before the court by some residents at Block D.
00:39They objected to the process to have them removed to make way for the new airport terminal.
00:45And some have said they were not paid fairly for their homes and are renting.
00:53Over $200 million was paid by the government in 2022 to families who negotiated for compensation for the homes and
01:02lands to make way for the new airport terminal.
01:05Chief Secretary Farley-Augustin spoke to this and the THA's present intervention.
01:11I was happy some weeks ago to go on a site visit, identify the lands.
01:17The only reason I haven't met with them as yet is because I want to get the conceptual designs for
01:23those 50 units that we want to provide for those relocated and not yet living anywhere.
01:30According to Chief Secretary Farley-Augustin, the THA intends to build 50 housing units to assist those who were not
01:40able to build their homes at Shervan and Kanu Bay.
01:45Those who were relocated, I want to say I'm given a commitment that when it's opening, I want to invite
01:51those who were relocated to be among the first invitees to be present there.
01:58More than that, I promised them a meeting about a week or so ago. It didn't quite happen, but I
02:06have not forgotten at all.
02:07Some affected residents who have now built homes at the Shervan housing site who wished not to be named said
02:15they are facing issues there.
02:18Lands at Shervan and Kanu Bay were made available at discounted rates for the building of their homes.
02:25Some residents at the Shervan housing site who wished not to be identified complained of feeling neglected,
02:32the roadway not being paved, high electricity rates and a water supply afforded only three to four days a week.
02:40Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
