radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
As the authorities move forward to invite global tenders for the National Transportation Plan, social activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh is calling on the Government to utilise the services of local transportation experts before embarking on the project.
Speaking at a press conference at the OWTU’s Paramount Building, San Fernandoon, Friday, Dr Kublalsingh said in the past, millions of dollars have been wasted in transportation studies and feasibility studies, including the Rapid Rail project of 2008, which cost the Government $256 million.
While the National Transportation Study is a welcome move to deal with traffic congestion, Dr Kublalsingh said he is now offering his services for free in the hope that there will be no wastage of public funds.
He also accused the Government of being secretive about the National Transportation Plan, which is being funded through a grant from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF).
“They have gone about it in a rather secretive way so far. They ought, to be frank with the public. This is a large project and it will incur a lot of public funds,” Kublalsingh said.
He added, “They have already taken decisions. Why did they choose the Andean Bank, what are terms of reference and who is drafting terms of reference? If they advanced it from that point, we must have information about who is the banker and what are the terms. We are in the initial stages, I want to be part of the process. I am willing to work for free.”
Asked why he wanted to devote time to this, Kublalsingh said in the past there have been too many blunders with similar studies. However, he noted that local oversight can curtail ill-advised planning.
Meanwhile, Jason Ash, who also spoke at the press conference, said while the National Transportation Study was ongoing, the Government should continue to maintain roads. He said traffic congestion and poor roads were taking a toll on the public.
Attorney Judy Kublalsingh also said legislative changes were needed to combat the exploitation of the nation’s sovereign assets.
“It’s no secret that historically, we had problems and serious reckless abuse of sovereign assets. It relates to energy and agriculture, forests and other large-scale assets. There ought to be an advanced legislative jurisdiction which should make this punishable by law,” she said.
She added, “We need to look at the issue and ensure there are consequences for economic and financial abuse of our nation’s assets.”
In an August 2019 news release, CAF said it had signed a US$200 million loan agreement to provide free availability financing to improve T&T’s road network.
Meanwhile, speaking to CNC3 News, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan said the National Transportation Plan incorporates land, sea and air transport development over the next 20 years. He said the last approved transportation plan was in 1967.
“We are working with the CAF, the Andean Developmental Bank. They gave us grant funding for terms of reference, this is a serious project. It determines routes, we cannot build ourselves out of traffic just like that,” he said.
He added that local firms will be considered for the execution of the project.
Saying he expected the global tender to be out probably in the first quarter of 2023, Sinanan added, “Once we identify the preferred contractor, it may take two or three years to get that plan out.”
In the meantime, Sinanan said certain aspects of the plan will be implemented. Sinanan also advised Kublalsingh to send him a list of questions he had about the project, following which he will do his best to respond.