The GSD notes recent social media coverage by a concerned citizen as to the state of works at Bishop Canilla House. Elderly citizens have endured inconvenience, namely noise and dust pollution, lack of air circulation given the fact that windows have had to remain closed during the summer and now the workforce appears to have abandoned the site since well before the Christmas break.
Our elderly residents have been very patient and have endured these conditions on the promise of improvements to their living environment. However, this project has been plagued with setbacks, poor workmanship, water ingress, dampness and now the site has been abandoned. Bishop Canilla House is a building site and it is right that citizens express their genuine concerns for the health, safety and welfare of our elderly.
Works to Bishop Canilla House commenced in January 2018 and in July 2018 in response to public concerns the Government confirmed that refurbishments will be completed by February 2019. It is clear that this date will now not be met thereby increasing the already frustrating living conditions being endured by our elderly. The Opposition has previously asked the Government questions regarding Bishop Canilla House and it has an outstanding question as to the state of Bishop Canilla House which will hopefully be answered on 21 February.
Elliott Phillips, Shadow Minister for Housing said,
“It is clear that the Government is increasingly incapable of managing the serious questions concerning the housing of ALL members of our community. Firstly, there are over 1200 people on the housing lists awaiting housing allocation some for many many years; secondly there are thousands of people that are genuinely concerned as to how they will access funding to buy into the so called affordable housing scheme in the event that they are successful in the allocation, thirdly there are appalling and shocking examples of third world living conditions afflicting certain members of our community as demonstrated in a recent GBC programme; fourthly 8 years on the Government have failed to complete refurbishments to a number of our large housing estates and fifthly and to top it all off, Bishop Canilla House appears to have been abandoned by the work force leaving our elderly genuinely confused and frustrated as to when hugely inconvenient works will be completed- ”
Mr Phillips went on to say:
“It is truly appalling to see reports of the abandoning of Bishop Canilla House and unfinished and substandard workmanship for which the Government is entirely responsible. Our elderly deserve better and we call on the Government to make a statement on how the position will be remedied without further delay.”
1a College Lane Gibraltar GX11 1AA
