A contractual dispute between Trinidad’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and one of its service providers has escalated into a legal standoff, with the cleaning company firmly rejecting the state agency’s request for additional time to address outstanding payments totaling $113,424.
Businessman Alick Anthony Charles, proprietor of Dirt B Gone Janitorial & Maintenance Services Ltd, has through his legal representative refused HDC’s plea for a one-month extension to respond to a pre-action protocol letter. The company had been contracted to provide comprehensive waste management services at Ridgewood Gardens, Phase Two housing development in Golconda.
According to legal documents obtained, attorney Kenneth Bradshaw of Bradshaw & Bradshaw Legal Solutions formally communicated his client’s position to both the permanent secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Ministry and HDC’s managing director on December 9. The correspondence emphasized that despite complete fulfillment of contractual obligations and proper submission of invoices, HDC has failed to remit payments for services rendered during March, June, July, August, September, and November.
HDC’s December 5 response, which acknowledged the matter was under review by its legal department, sought a 30-day grace period for investigation. This request was met with firm opposition from Charles’ legal team, who cited ‘prolonged, unreasonable delay in breach of contract’ that has already caused significant operational and personal hardship.
The attorney challenged the validity of HDC’s investigation rationale, characterizing it as ‘unparticularised, unsupported’ and potentially indicative of a stalling tactic. Legal representatives noted that all services had been verified on-site and approved through HDC’s internal payment channels, leaving no legitimate basis for further delay.
In a final compromise, Charles’ legal team has offered a seven-day ultimatum for full settlement of the $113,424 debt, plus accrued interest and $3,500 in legal costs. Failure to comply will trigger immediate legal proceedings for debt recovery, damages for breach of contract, and escalation to the Office of the Procurement Regulator for investigation under public procurement legislation.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in government procurement processes and the impact of payment delays on small businesses operating in the public sector supply chain.