London optimistic on Tobago Hospital

TOBAGO House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London expressed optimism that problems involving variations and/or cost overruns on the Scarborough Regional Hospital Project would soon be rectified. Speaking with Newsday yesterday, London confirmed that there has been regular communication between the Cabinet and the THA on this matter. Cabinet is reportedly considering the all aspects relating to the project and one of the options before it is the replacement of Nipdec as the project’s manager.

The THA Chief Secretary said while he was concerned about the situation, particularly with respect to the time it would now take to complete construction of the new hospital, he was not going to get caught up in the differences being publicly aired about cost overruns and variations. London said an initial report submitted by top New York-based construction company, Turner International, has advanced some positive recommendations about how to rectify problems plaguing the Scarborough Hospital project.  He added that Cabinet and the THA will thoroughly study all aspects of the Turner Report before a final decision is made about the next move on the project. NH International Caribbean (NHIC) is the project’s contractor and its chairman Emile Elias said his company was accepting no blame for cost overruns on the project. Elias seemingly cast that blame upon the project’s consultant engineer, Stantec.

Asked about the arrival of the new Tobago ferry MV Sonia, London said he expects to be briefed today on this matter. Both London and Works and Transport Minister Franklin Khan said the Sonia is expected to arrive in TT either today or tomorrow (docking first in Scarborough before sailing on to Port-of-Spain). The vessel has already left its port in Naples, Italy and Khan described the Sonia as a Christmas gift to the people of Tobago. A Government official hinted that MV Sonia could arrive in Tobago on Wednesday. Khan said in early 2005, Government will invite tenders for the purchase of two additional passenger ferries and a dedicated cargo vessel for the Tobago seabridge.