(Trinidad Express) A five-star hotel, convention centre and administrative centre will be constructed in South Trinidad, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced yesterday.
Speaking at the People’s Partnership fourth anniversary rally at the Mid Centre Mall, Chaguanas, Persad-Bissessar said it is proposed that some 30 acres of land in the vicinity of the Tarouba Stadium will be used to construct an 18-storey administrative complex, in addition to a modern convention centre.
She said this will be the first to be built in the country’s independent history.
Persad-Bissessar said this site will be in proximity to the Pointe-a-Pierre Petrotrin facility, minutes away from a shopping mall and entertaining centre at Tarouba and along the new highway to Point Fortin, which will be completed.
“To complete this signature complex we propose to enhance business in the oil belt from Point Lisas to Point Fortin with the construction of a modern five-star hotel, long awaited by the people of south Trinidad. This hotel will be integrated with the convention centre,” she said.
She said this new economic zone will create a further 2,000 permanent jobs in the administrative, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Persad-Bissessar also announced that TT$100 million in 2014 to 2015 will be spent on the Housing Development Corporation’s “I Live Here” programme which will be geared towards developing pride among HDC tenants—taking responsibility, for their homes and communities across the nation.
She said it was expected that over 500 residents in economically challenged communities would be recruited and deployed to work in this massive programme of upgrade and refurbishment of over 25 targeted HDC estates in Port of Spain, Diego Martin, Morvant and San Fernando.
Persad-Bissessar said that after 30 years of neglect by the PNM, her Government will lift those communities to feel the joy and self-esteem that comes from a clean, secure and beautiful environment.
With respect to health care, the Prime Minister said that she has instructed Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan to have primary health care centres throughout the country opened to 9 p.m on week days, up to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and till 2 p.m. on Sundays.
