Motive behind leaks at Whitehall

THE EDITOR: Citizens for Conservation are gravely concerned by the recent remarks made by the Prime Minister with regard to the dilapidation of Whitehall. As the public is aware, Whitehall was extensively re-built eight years ago having fallen victim to what passes as building custodianship by a previous PNM administration. We wish to categorically state that our concern is non-political, we have now as always been a non-partisan organisation and our sole aim is to preserve our richly built heritage for subsequent generations of Trinidadians. We find that we are unable to remain silent in the face of what seems to be an attempt to legitimise the usurpation of the Red House by the current administration using the fortuitous excuse of leaks. That Whitehall leaks should come as no surprise given the lack of a facilities manager, dedicated maintenance budget or even a rudimentary maintenance programme for the building.

The Prime Minister has made no secret of his wish to move office to the Red House, regardless of that building’s purpose both from a historical and democratic view. What boggles the mind is the belief that the situation at the Red House would be any different, it is of similar age and is in fact larger than Whitehall, without comprehensive maintenance it would soon deteriorate back to its present state. Let’s face facts: the Government does not have a stellar track record when it comes to maintenance of its buildings, old or new. A good comparison is the Twin Towers of the Eric Williams Financial Complex. The Central Bank Tower which does employ a facilities manager runs well, the other Tower, currently occupied by the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Development and several departments of the Office of the Prime Minister, employing no facilities Manager and no dedicated maintenance budget does not.

When was the last time anyone checked the sprinkler system or serviced the elevators? All buildings require maintenance, older more delicate buildings require more vigilant supervision. If a lack of simple maintenance applies to Whitehall and one half of the Twin Towers, what can we look forward to at the Red House? Might we once again take the opportunity to remind the Honourable Prime Minister that the Magnificent Seven, Red House and Fort King George are all currently on the OAS list of Caribbean Monuments. In thirty years, the Twin Towers will also qualify for listing as the first major “skyscraper” in TT. This alone should indicate the intrinsic worth of our heritage buildings. We noted the inclusion in the 2004 budget the allocation of funds for the restoration of Millefleur, currently held together by paint, Stollmeyer’s Castle and Queen’s Royal College. Laudable yes, but forgive us if we say we’ll believe it when we see it. It is not enough to effect a restoration without putting into the place the means to maintain a building: restoration is always a more expensive proposition. As for the leaks at Whitehall, might they have something to do with the Samaan seedlings growing out of the uncleared rain guttering. The question begs to be asked, do we still have a National Trust?

CITIZENS FOR CONSERVATION
Port-of-Spain