The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) has cleared the air on construction work at the prime minister’s official residence in Blenheim, Tobago, saying the refurbishment will cost around $18 million.
The disclosure came after Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Monilal called for an investigation into the project at the United National Congress’ (UNC) Monday Night Forum at the Debe High School.
Moonilal alleged that ‘a highway’ was being built to the property, that it suffered cost overruns to the tune of almost “$20 million and the contractors want more money.”
He also alleged that the original budget to refurbish the property was $2 million.
Moonilal also questioned the awarding of the contract for work on the property.
However, UDeCOTT said the allegations are not true.
“In the first instance, the allegations falsely state, that the works at the Official Residence in Tobago are refurbishment works,” the UDeCOTT statement said.
It said the corporation was instructed, “to demolish the termite-infested dilapidated structure... and to construct a New Official Residence. The budget for this new construction was never $2 million.”
On the issue of the awarding of the contract, UDeCOTT said the project was subject to “competitive bidding and was awarded to Parks International at a Contract Price of TT$17,998,114.48.”
Before Moonilal’s statements on the project, Guardian Media repeatedly requested information on the construction.
On Tuesday, after the MP’s statements UDeCOTT’s chairman Noel Garcia said the company will not comment on the issue.
“I am not getting involved in the political statement. UDeCOTT is not a political organization. UDeCOTT is an implementation agency for the government... I as chairman have no intention of dragging UDeCOTT into the political gayelle”, he said.
However, since August 20, UDeCOTT’s corporate communications department told Guardian Media that its queries on the project will be answered.
This came after Guardian Media visited the site and requested information on the status of the project-completion date and budget.
After many calls to the corporation, Guardian Media was told to forward the questions, via email, to the communications department. This was done on the morning of August 20.
The corporation replied later that evening.
“I (communications officer) copied to Ms. Stapleton our Corporate Communication Manager to address these questions further.”
UDeCOTT never replied to the queries.