Beckles: $234M for TTEC disaster plan

She revealed the plan at a post-Cabinet media conference at Whitehall yesterday.

Some $75 million is to be spent on TTEC’s disaster preparations in 2007, $64 million in 2008, $47 million in 2009, and $46 million in 2010. In addition, she said she had got sums of $91 million and $136 million approved in 2005 for a similar plan for WASA.

In 2005 she had initially requested sums of $39 million and $45 million for TTEC’s disaster-preparedness plan, but consultations with a US Hurricane Centre and concerns about recent weather patterns had led her to seek an increased allocation. She said TTEC’s original disaster plan was to have nine trailer-mounted generators, but this scheme had now been expanded.

Beckles said the ministry will build 10,000 square-foot safety shelters for TTEC workers and nearby residents at both Charlotteville, Tobago, and at the Trinidad North Coast.

Five far-fetched communities would also be served by shelters at a total cost of $10 million.

The Penal Power Plant will be converted for dual use (ie to run on both natural gas and petroleum). Some $60 million will be spent on electricity spare-parts such as electricity poles, and emergency supplies.

Answering reporters’ questions, Beckles admitted that the plans would not be ready for this year’s hurricane season, which has already begun.