Members of the ruling PNM have been asked to contribute “beyond their means “to help build the party’s new Eric Williams Memorial Complex at Balisier courtyard, expected to be finished by the next year.
PNM leader Keith Rowley made this pitch on Thursday while delivering the feature address at a PNM function at Balisier House courtyard—on the site of the project—marking the party’s 60th anniversary. The largely cultural event was attended by top PNM officials including organisers and financiers, MPs and senators.
Rowley said sod-turning for the new complex is imminent and as soon as the courtyard was cleared after Thursday’s function, technicians start soil-testing to sink foundations for the new building to go up alongside the adjoining Balisier House structure. The multi-storey building will house administrative offices and a shopping mall.
Rowley said it was projected members will observe the next anniversary function “in the presence of” the new building. He said resources have been flowing in from members including persons overseas.
Rowley called on members to contribute “beyond their means” to help build the complex. He said a south constituency donated all of the $15,000 it earned from an event, to the project. He said his Diego Martin west constituency will host a cocktail party to raise funds also.” According to PNM’s website, tickets for that “Cocktails on the Hill” event cost $600 each.
He said PNM’s being the greatest party holds the party to a higher standard and the country expects the party to aspire to the highest standard. He said it was a responsibility. Rowley, who lauded PNM founder late PM Dr Eric Williams, said PNM’s legacy has been progress. He said people who wear the label “PNM-til-I-ded” do so with pride since that generation is grateful for the things the PNM accomplished from their time. He said some things had been a dream and PNM’s coming changed that. He said it was the PNM that launched a billion dollar oil company, distributed water and power and began the telecom sector.
He said other leadership have come, but only chose to “serve themselves.”
PNM’s Joan Yuille- Williams said celebration plans included a motorcade in September — the month also marking the party’s first year in office—from constituencies to Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain where the party was launched; and observance of the birthdays of each of the four leaders hosted in their respective constituencies.