And more specifically, for the Ministry of Home Affairs, they are paying $15,000 a month for rent. The minister agreed that it was about time they operated out of a government-owned building.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
"We currently occupy the premises, the first floor, on Constitution Drive. I believe, this property belongs to Abadi's. I'm not sure. I think it's special effects. They're the owners of the property. And just so you know, the last administration was paying more, we were able to negotiate a reduction in the amount of rent that was payable under Covid, thanks to Covid, we were able to get our reduction in the amount of rent. But no doubt the landlord is behind us for an increase because we are out of Covid times. So I just wanted to make that point."
Reporter:
"Don't you think it's high time we stop paying people's mortgages and paying people's loans at the banks with these rental fees and pay our own loan, if you would, by building and borrowing for own."
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
"I am absolutely a huge supporter, huge advocate of that position. Obviously, that is going to require, a financial institution, whether a local institution or a foreign institution coming in to provide a very substantial loan, because we're looking at perhaps something in the range of 40 to $60 million to create a government campus that can house all of these offices. And so obviously, that is something that we need to focus on moving forward, because I do agree that over time it's going to be worth it. And so if you're going to enter into a public private partnership whereby you pay this very same rent for a period of, say, 20 to 30 years, but after that you become the owners of it, I think that is going to make a lot more sense. And so I think that is the direction that the government is going to be looking at."
