Imbert defends Udecott

“They (Udecott) are a major agent of change,” Imbert told inquiry chairman Professor John Uff. “They are also the instrument of Government in terms of design build. They are at the forefront and that is why they are under the microscope.”

Imbert’s comments came as he revealed that the cost of the Government Campus Plaza, Port-of-Spain, is now estimated to be $2.64 billion and counting. He also revealed that the $517 million Performing Arts Centre in Port-of-Spain is not meant for performances.

On a second day of testimony before the commissioners, Imbert said the cost of the as yet uncompleted, 1.7 million square foot project was now $1,546 per square foot “thus far.”

By contrast, he said, the 1.7 million square foot International Waterfront Project cost $1,451 per square foot, bringing the total project cost to $2.5 billion. In a September 23, 2008 written reply to a parliamentary question addressed to Planning Minister Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, the Government said the total cost for the project, including supplemental and fit-out costs was an estimated $2.3 billion.

In relation to another of Government’s million-dollar mega-projects, the Port-of-Spain Academy for the Performing Arts Imbert revealed that the facility, despite its name, is not meant for performances, but solely training.

Responding to allegations made by Rubadiri Victor, a member of the Artists’ Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) President, who yesterday said the $517.6 million structure is unsuitable for music, dance and drama performances, Imbert said the building was limited to “the constraints of the design”.

“The Performing Arts Centre is not a performance centre it is a training centre,” Imbert revealed. “It is not designed as a concert hall.”

Uff noted that the facility had elements which may have suggested otherwise.

“We were told there is going to be a concert hall which would accommodate 1,300 people,” Uff remarked.

“As far I am aware it is a training institution and every effort has been made to come as close to what you would get in a performance facility. Whatever is there is the maximum that was permissible within the constraints of the design,” Imbert said.