$41M upgrade for Marine Affairs

GOVERNMENT yesterday announced that the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) will get a $41.3 million upgrade, and it intends to increase its current level of investment in science and technology. This was disclosed by Public Utilities and Environment Minister, Pennelope Beckles, when she addressed a sod-turning ceremony for a new IMA research building at Hilltop Lane in Chaguaramas. The new building represents phase one of the construction of new facilities for the IMA, which is an investment of over $22 million in infrastructural/institutional strengthening for marine and environmental research. Phase two will involve the construction of an information centre and marine education centre at a cost of approximately $10 million, and the final third phase will see the construction of an administration building at a cost of $9.3 million.

Beckles explained: “Such an investment in science, technology and information is important since the development of these areas impacts on the provision of the basic needs of the people of Trinidad and Tobago for food, water, shelter, clothing, health and education. At present, Government investment in research and development in TT is only 0.13 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is far below developed country threshold characteristics where Government investment in research and development is one percent of GDP and business investment in research and development is two percent of GDP. As a result, Government proposes to significantly increase investment in research and technological innovation.”

Last week, Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Minister Colm Imbert disclosed that the IMA was one of several local institutions which will form the core of the new University of TT. Beckles also said enhancements to the IMA’s facilities would enhance Government’s 2002 proposal to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to host the Regional Activity Centre (RAC) at the IMA. The Minister said the RAC “will undertake regional projects which will reduce and control pollution from land-based sources in the wider Caribbean region.” Expressing the institute’s thanks to the Government, IMA director Hazel McShine said it was the IMA’s vision that “Before 2020, it would become the recognised leading authority with respect to marine affairs and the formulation of policies for sustainable development of marine and related resources, both nationally and regionally.”