US$700,000 allocated for T&T embassy upgrade

Government’s draft estimates for 2012 showed that the cost of the building which now houses the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy in Washington DC was US$11million. The draft estimates also showed that approximately US$700,000 was allocated for refurbishing the embassy.  

T&T Ambassador to Washington Dr Neil Parsan was again unavailable for comment yesterday on the extensive renovations recently carried out at the embassy. The embassy is featured in the July/August issue of US architectural magazine Home and Design, showcasing some seemingly expensive updates to the property.

Deputy chief of mission, Donna Henry, said all questions about renovations should be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When asked if questions from the media were always referred to the ministry, Henry said: “In this particular instance your enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The ambassador’s assistant said e-mails sent by the T&T Guardian to the ambassador’s attention were never received. The embassy, on Embassy Row, at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC, underwent extensive renovations starting shortly after Parsan took office in February 2011.