PoS mayor to get official residence

Addressing a sod-turning ceremony for a new housing estate at Vieux Fort in St James, Brown suggested that consideration be given to the construction of an official residence within the city for the Port-of-Spain mayor. The mayor added that this was only fitting given the level of cooperation between central Government and the Port-of-Spain City Corporation in developing urban areas within the latter’s jurisdiction for housing construction.

In his address to the gathering, Rowley said he was not sure if Cabinet approval was required to construct such a structure, but was willing to assist in either scenario. Rowley observed that the City Corporation has several structures which are not being used and said at a suitable location, the new Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (TTHDC) "will undertake to build an official house of mayor."

The minister jokingly reminded Brown that such a house would not be his and, "of course, it will not be free." Rowley added that since the TTHDC owes money to the City Corporation for lands being used for housing, "it should be a simple transaction to have an exchange of relevant cheques." Rowley also assured the mayor that consideration would be given for daily-rated workers at the City Corporation to have the opportunity to apply for some of the 146 apartment and townhouse units that are being built at Vieux Fort.