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Why is the PNM spending millions on an underutilized pool?
Posted On 31 Jan 2018
The Member of Parliament for Oropouche West, Mrs. Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh is questioning the government’s decision to spend $7.6 million on renovations to the pool and deck of the Trinidad Hilton during a time when the country cannot afford to purchase medication, open schools and combat crime.
The MP stated “Trinidad and Tobago has recorded the bloodiest month in its history and January has not yet ended.” She referenced a recent Canadian government advisory that warned its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the twin island state.
The Minister of Trade and Industry when questioned about this exorbitant spend by the government, on this project explained that “it is important that the Government reinvest to ensure the maintenance of international standards and increase the hotel’s value and marketability.”
Mrs. Gayadeen- Gopeesingh pointed out that for the year 2018 we have had over 60 murders in less than 30 days; there were major protests throughout the country for the completion of schools and the refurbishment of road ways. She said “daily there are numerous reports indicating the unavailability of medication at the various hospitals and health facilities in Trinidad and Tobago. The MP lamented, “This incompetence cannot be tolerated and the citizen’s safety and quality of life should be the government’s number 1 priority, not fixing an underutilized pool.” She said “Imagine how many surgical gloves could be bought, the number of bottles of reagents to do essential blood tests, sutures and consumables for laparoscopic surgery that $7.6 million could have purchased? The MP lamented “True to form the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have to suffer under the PNM misplaced priorities philosophy.”
Mrs. Gayadeen- Gopeesingh concluded “ the government has to justify the frivolous spending of the tax payers dollar on this project when it is fact that visitor arrivals to Trinidad and Tobago have declined tremendously under the PNM administration, why is the PNM spending money to beautify a facility when the nation is bleeding daily.
Vidia Gayadeen- Gopeesingh
Dated 30th January 2018
