Opposition Health spokesman Michael Dunkley launched a stinging attack on Government's silence on the asbestos problem at the $4 million Southside affordable housing project during the Motion to Adjourn in Friday's House of Assembly session.

He said the project, run by Government MP Arthur Pitcher, had began without a building permit and planning permission.

“We then learned of an asbestos problem and the total disregard for public health and safety in the removal of asbestos.”

He said the asbestos had been removed in open backed trucks with no regard for the protection of workers of the public but he said Government had failed to live up to promises to release the inquiry.

One worker has gone public claiming breathing problems had hospitalised him. “When a situation like that materialises and the Minister won't come forward with that report, you must wonder what's going on.”

“You must assume Government is hiding something or Government is incapable of producing a report.

“No-one I know could take two years to make that simple report on an issue so pertinent to the health and safety of the community of St. David's.

“More importantly, what's being done to rectify the situation so it doesn't continue?”

Housing Minister Nelson Bascome said the asbestos report would cover the whole Island not just Southside, which he said he had addressed in two Ministerial statements.

He said: “We have a number of buildings in and around Hamilton that contain asbestos. That's what the report will basically be on.”

But Mr. Bascome later told The Royal Gazette the report would also cover Southside.

Mr. Dunkley said staff were dismissed without settlement from Mr. Pitcher's firm and the management company had been axed.

He said the original 20-unit project worked out at $200,000 per apartment but when the project was downgraded to 17 projects they were now costing the taxpayer $235,000. He said the project was ten months behind the original completion date but still half empty.

Mr. Dunkley wondered what the project had really cost and called on the Government to open up the books. He wondered whether Mr. Pitcher's connection with the firm had prevented Government from investigating the project. “Tell me it isn't so,” he said.

The theft of building materials which had slowed the project according to the Minister was also queried by Mr. Dunkley.

He also said better preparations should have been made after the Minister blamed some of the delay on new building techniques.

Rumours had surfaced that the families housed at the project were not even on the waiting list, said Mr. Dunkley, while one tenant was quite wealthy and did not even need all the bedrooms.

He reiterated his calls for an investigation into every contract handled by Bermuda Housing Corporation who commissioned the project and demanded a list of bidders and prices and reasons for over-runs.

The bidding and selection process should be looked at as well as how maintenance contracts are handled while a list of managers and their qualifications and terms should be pulblished.

Mr. Dunkley also called on Government to get a move on with deciding the fate of suspended staff at BHC - including General Manager Raymonde Dill and Finance Manager Robert Clifford - some of whom were on full-pay while investigations were being carried out into alleged corruption.

He also called for a review of accounting systems, in particular when cash payments were involved.

Mr. Dunkley said Government had failed to deal with the housing crisis.

Government MP Reverand Wilbur Lowe came to the defence of Mr. Pitcher who he admitted is his brother in law.

He said Mr. Pitcher was being used as a political football. He said the new homes were excellent and he denied there was favouritism in finding tenants but said a priority was given to St. David's residents.

Thefts from the building site were being investigated but some materials had been recovered.

He said: “The bottom line is Mr. Pitcher is a very caring individual.”

He said Mr. Pitcher made a big effort to employ people who others might reject. “Every now and then he loses his cool, he's dealing with some very difficult cases.”

His colleague Derrick Burgess also backed Mr. Pitcher. He said: “He has people over there no one else would hire but still he takes them on. He's doing a service to the Country and those families.”

The housing shortage was due to an influx of workers as international business grew, said Mr. Burgess.

However he added: “We have always had a housing shortage back in the fifties and sixties. We had three families that would live in one household.” He said most Government projects came in over budget and he cited UBP projects such as the Westgate, Cedarbridge, Tynes Bay incinerator and the airport. “But that's OK because they did it.”

He said Mr. Dunkley didn't believe anyone of African descent had management ability but Mr. Dunkley said he respected all races equally.

Mr. Bascome agreed expatriates had added to pressure in the housing market, reducing supply of private rented property which added locals to Government's waiting list.

Wall-sitters who remained jobless also added to Government woes said Mr. Bascome as more workers had to be imported to do jobs locals didn't want to do.

Mr. Bascome said BHC chose tenants, not Government or MPs, and added that Police investigations into BHC meant he couldn't discuss its affairs in detail.

Shadow Tourism Minister David Dodwell said Mr. Bascome had not answered all the questions and Government MPs saying the new Southside homes were beautiful was not the point.

“We are talking about accountability, responsibility and the taxpayer.” He said these were legitimate subjects for the Opposition to raise. “It isn't about personalities.”

He went on: “He (Mr. Bascome) should clear up the confusion and produce the asbestos report.”

He said it was promised two years ago. “It's not satisfactory to say there are two Ministerial statements for a topic as big as asbestos.”