Mille Fleurs for heritage and trust site

The actions taken by the State were necessary to arrest the rapid deterioration of the historic building — Mille Fleurs — Attorney General, John Jeremie explained yesterday in an official release from the Policy and Media Research Unit of his ministry. On Saturday last, a crew led by armed police, forcibly took possession of the property by cutting the locks on the gate with a bolt-cutter and scaling the walls of the premises. As a result, some 50 members of the Law Association, held a special meeting Wednesday and condemned the action of the State — to forcibly evict them from the premises which they used as their headquarters. Yesterday, Jeremie noted with concern the statements by the President of the Law Association, Russel Martineau SC, concerning Government’s decision to re-enter the property. Mille Fleurs which belongs to the State, was offered some time ago to the legal body to be used as their headquarters.

But in his release yesterday, Jeremie explained that Government’s re-entry was necessary to arrest the rapid deterioration of the building at Queen’s Park West. The building he said was in an advanced state of disrepair, and in need of urgent attention. It was noted that the building had remained unoccupied for the last three years. According to Jeremie, Government has decided that as an important part of the national patrimony, Mille Fleurs, one of the series of buildings known as the “Magnificent Seven”, will be used as a heritage and trust site open to all the people of Trinidad and Tobago, rather than being confined to use by any private institution or organisation. Jeremie said he enjoyed a good relationship with the Law Association and looked forward to continuing discussions on the matter. He added that the State will reimburse the Law Association for any sums expended over the years with respect to watchman’s fees and other related expenses which might have been incurred.