A $191 million Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing project in a Laventille “hot zone” has come under scrutiny, with Minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Edward Alexander questioning why the contract was awarded to a company whose bid was $54 million higher than that of the lowest bidder.

Alexander also questioned whether political considerations influenced the award.

He raised the issues yesterday during a news conference at the HDC construction site at Citrus Close, off the Eastern Main Road, Laventille, formerly occupied by the Citrus Growers Association.