$1.2M for moat at PM’s residence

By letter dated May 28, 2008, Udecott’s then corporate secretary Neelanda Rampaul wrote to the managing director of Terra Forma Design and Construction Limited Jose Heredia, informing him that Udecott approved a proposal for lighting of the grounds of the residence and diplomatic centre and the installation of a moat.

“We refer to your proposal dated December 17, 2007,” Rampaul wrote in the letter which was obtained by Newsday. “Please be informed that your proposal has been accepted for the landscape lighting design and the installation of the moat at the Prime Minister’s Residence.

“The accepted contract sum for the works is $1,223,042.05, VAT inclusive, comprising the cost of the landscape lighting design at $862,752.08 and installation of the moat at $360, 289.97.”

The $1.2 million bill appears to be separate and apart from another bill submitted by the contractor for the project, Shanghai Construction Group, to Udecott asking for payment of a $2.6 million bill for “landscaping work”. According to a payment note, dated February 11, 2008, SCG asked Udecott to make a 50 percent down payment for paying Terra Forma for a bill for $2.1 million (VAT exclusive) for “landscaping work”. The La Fantasie compound includes a shallow, gravel-filled moat that appears to have been installed for aesthetic purposes.