Cabinet has given the green light for the staff of the Public Utilities Ministry to be relocated to the controversial One Alexandra Place building, Port-of-Spain.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said so at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference in St Clair.
He said Minister of Public Utilities, Ancel Antoine, and some support staff have already been relocated to the new location. He said when the transfer was completed by the middle of this month, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs would be relocated from Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, to 2 Elizabeth Street, St Clair, which had been occupied by the Public Utilities Ministry for the past several months.
He confirmed that One Alexandra Place was owned by relatives of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi but said all discussions relating to the new arrangements were done without the involvement of Al-Rawi, who had recused himself from the deliberations.
But he assured all matters relating to the premises have been dealt with “completely above board with the highest levels of due diligence.”
The building had been rented during the five-year term of the former People’s Partnership government at a cost of an estimated $45 million but remained unoccupied for the entire period.
Yesterday, Young confirmed the non-occupation of the building was an issue but said the new Government, since September last year, had established a sub-committee of the Cabinet to take a look at the matter to determine its suitability for use.
He said it was found that the building continued to be suitable for occupation. However, he said there were still outstanding matters to be addressed, including questions about the procurement and outfitting of the building under the former PP administration, adding this aspect may be subject to legal proceedings.
He said Cabinet felt the building was unoccupied for far too long to the disadvantage of taxpayers. He added after several ministries bid for the premises it was found Public Utilities was best suited for it.
He said a new rental arrangement was also negotiated. He was not prepared to give details but said it would not be as high as what obtained under the former government.
“There is not going to be an increase in the cost of rental,” he said.
He said the building would be leased to the ministry for the next three years, while the Sport Ministry would complete its relocation by the end of next month.