Padarath: Rowley Shamelessly Confirms Lara Stadium Not ICC Compliant

Princes Town MP, Barry Padarath described the admission of Prime Minister, Keith Rowley that the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba has no ICC accreditation as shameless, despite being opened 2 years ago. The Prime Minister made the admission at a PNM public meeting in Chaguanas on Tuesday.

Padarath said it was exactly two years ago that the stadium was opened with great fanfare and a promise of international cricket matches from members of the government. However up to this time the stadium has hosted more fetes and parties than cricket tournaments.

The Princes Town MP said that he took particular note of the Prime Minister’s statements that additional work would have to be completed on the stadium before the International Cricket Council could grant accreditation. Padarath is calling on the Prime Minister to indicate the scope of works and the additional cost to taxpayers to now make the stadium compliant with International Standards.

The MP raised these issues prior to the opening of the stadium two years ago, however government failed to address these matters back then.

Padarath said that after the PNM spent over 1.3 Billion dollars on the Brian Lara Stadium, it was a slap in the face to the population to spend more after the stadium was opened without ICC accreditation. The Princes Town MP described this as incompetence and one of this country’s biggest corruption scandals.

The Princes Town MP said he was not surprised that after two years since being opened, the stadium did not have international accreditation, especially since one Minister was fired for allegations of sexual harassment at the Ministry and the other admitted that she knew nothing about sport. Therefore, there has been no real leadership for this project. However, the MP indicated that his most troubling concern was that more money would now have to be spent after the stadium was opened two years ago and after 1.3 billion dollars has already been spent.