Developer denies destroying homes

 THE project developer of the Paga Hill development project says it is not responsible for Tuesday’s destruction of settlement houses and World War 11 relics.

Paga Hill Development Company (PHDC) spokesman Gudmundur Fridriksson said that yesterday after the destruction of settlement houses and WW11 relics on Tuesday.

He said he was disappointed with coverage of the event by EMTV on Tuesday, which said PHDC was responsible for the destruction of settlement houses and WW11 relics.

“We had nothing to do with this,” Fridriksson said.

“This was unbelievably poor reporting. 

“This destruction was done by National Capital District Commission and Curtain Brothers.”

Fridriksson said PHDC was all for the preservation of WW11 assets as part of the development of Paga Hill.

 “We have taken all steps possible to free bunkers on our side of the hill from illegal squatters for a 69-year overdue inspection by National Museum, and eventual restoration of those worth restoring, as many are in terrible condition because of National Museum’s long-term neglect,” he said.

Museum director Dr Andrew Moutu said on Tuesday that it had entered into a dialogue pertaining to development plans at Paga Hill since 2012 after the National Executive Council issued orders to stop relevant stakeholders from taking legal action against proposed development plans.

He said the museum consequently wrote to parties involved since 2013 expressing concern about historic remains left after WW11 because they belonged to the State, denial of access to the site, and the management plans underway.

“We are not sure what is going to happen to the historic structures,” Moutu said.

He said the bunkers located on the westwards spine of Paga Hill were significant strategic locations during WW11 and were protected under the War Surplus Material Act enforced by the museum.