Two Govt $6B projects to bring 27,000 jobs
By COREY CONNELLY Sunday, November 28 2010
Critically aware of the need to revive this country’s stagnant economy, the People’s Partnership Government yesterday launched two ambitious infrastructural projects, expected to generate some 27,000 new jobs for nationals over the next four years.
The projects, being undertaken by the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO), which manages the delivery of infrastructure projects in the highway and transportation sectors among other areas, are the proposed extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin and the Mamoral Dam and Reservoir project.
Both are being constructed at a combined estimated cost of TT$6 billion.
The Government also assured the projects, scheduled to begin early next year, will be transparent, place heavy emphasis on the utilisation of local contractors and labour, and significantly minimise the country’s unemployment rate. An elated Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner yesterday said the projects signalled the dawn of a new era.
“Twenty-seven thousand new jobs. That is like music to my ears,” he told reporters during a news conference at the headquarters of the Ministry of Works and Transport at the corner of Richmond and London Streets in Port-of-Spain. The briefing was also attended by Finance Minister Winston Dookeran and NIDCO President Dr Carson Charles, who gave an overview of both projects.
Warner said he was glad to know that both projects were sanctioned by Dookeran and the NIDCO.
“And when that has the blessings of the Minister of Finance, the music keeps getting better and better,” he added.
Warner said there were other major infrastructural development projects, including the long-awaited highway to Mayaro, which were also scheduled to begin during the course of 2011.
“There are other projects which will not only stimulate the economy but which will help to give this country a sense of hope over the next four years,” he said.
The Chaguanas West MP dismissed possible talk that the projects were reminiscent of an election campaign promise, reiterating they were designed mainly to resuscitate the struggling economy through the construction sector.
In expressing his delight in both projects and the contribution they were likely to make in, once again, propelling TT on a growth path, Warner made good on a promise he made to local contractors three Saturdays ago at the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association’s annual dinner and dance at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain.
Delivering the feature address at the event, Warner had pledged to work more harmoniously with the contractors, acknowledging they had been overlooked for mega projects during the tenure of the former PNM administration.
Yesterday, Warner revealed that some 197 families stood to be displaced during the construction of the highway extension project, “but it would be as painless as possible.” At present, packages for compensation are being worked out. He also assured that environmental factors were also taken into consideration.
Charles said the proposed highway project, expected to cost close to TT$5 billion, will improve road access to La Brea, Point Fortin and Siparia and create some 20,000 jobs.
The project, to be undertaken by the Brazil-based Constructora OAS Limited, will be done on a design/construct fixed price model to minimise the potential for cost overruns, Charles said.
The Mamoral Dam project, he said, was expected to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in central Trinidad and alleviate the environmental degradation and health hazards caused by the perennial phenomenon. It is projected to generate 7,000 jobs.
Dookeran acknowledged that discussions were taking place regarding funding for the projects over the next four years.
“But, we are confident we will be able to source the finances given the economic potential,”said Dookeran.
He also reminded reporters the projects were in keeping with the Government’s thrust to re-energise the economy through the development of growth poles.
Warner and Dookeran declined to discuss issues relating to Caribbean Airlines and the firing last week of CEO Ian Brunton.
