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Singapore

Main contractors for 5 BTO projects unable to continue due to financial difficulties; further delays expected: HDB

02:34 Min
The completion of five Build-to-Order residential projects will be delayed due to "financial difficulties" faced by its main contractors, the Housing and Development Board said on Thursday (Aug 26). Natasha Razak reports.

SINGAPORE: The completion of five Build-to-Order (BTO) residential projects will be delayed due to "financial difficulties" faced by its main contractors, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said on Thursday (Aug 26).

Greatearth Corp and Greatearth Construction informed HDB that they ran into financial difficulties and are unable to complete the projects despite government assistance.

“HDB had also explored possible options to resolve Greatearth’s challenges, such as through advance payments, but Greatearth does not have the financial ability to continue its operations,” HDB said.

It added that all work at the five sites have been suspended since Aug 20.

“Prior to this, the progress of works was satisfactory, and there was no sign of work slow-down or any sudden reduction of supplies or workers on-site,” it said.

Two of the projects – Senja Ridges and Senja Heights – were launched for sale in 2016. They were expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2022.

Sky Vista @ Bukit Batok, launched in August 2017, was expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year. Marsiling Grove's expected completion date was in the fourth quarter of 2022, and West Coast Parkview in the second quarter of 2023.

Project name No of blocks and units Expected completion date before latest delay
Senja Ridges

1 block

230 units

Fourth quarter 2021
Senja Heights

2 blocks

552 units

First quarter 2022
Sky Vista @ Bukit Batok

2 blocks

257 units

Third quarter 2022
Marsiling Grove

5 blocks

1,246 units

Fourth quarter 2022
West Coast Parkview

3 blocks

697 units

Second quarter 2023

 

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With the change of contractors, HDB said it expects a further delay to the completion of the five BTO projects.

"HDB is working closely with Greatearth to bring on board new contractors as soon as possible to complete the remaining works," said the agency.

“In the meantime, HDB has arranged for contingency contractors to secure the worksites and carry out housekeeping and vector control until the new contractors are appointed.”

HDB added that it has contacted home buyers to inform them of the situation. 

“We have reached out to the affected flat buyers, and will continue to keep them updated on the situation,” it said.

“We will also keep them informed of the revised completion date of their flats once we have worked out the construction schedule after the new contractors have been appointed.”

Flat buyers who are unable to find alternative housing arrangements in the interim with family members, relatives or on the open market may contact HDB for assistance.

“HDB will do our utmost to bring the replacement contractor/s onboard as soon as possible, to minimise the extent of any delays while ensuring that safety and quality are not compromised,” it said.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct details of the expected completion dates of the five BTO projects. The information in the table provided by HDB about the probable completion date refers to when they were expected to be finished prior to Greatearth's withdrawal.

Source: CNA/ga(rw)
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