By Sue-Ann Wayow
PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley is defending his comments in condemning a proposal for Astro Turf at Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair, Port-of-Spain.
He said his post on Facebook that referred to “salesman” was in no way a reflection of Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez.
Dr Rowley said, “I was referring specifically to the corporation taking seriously and possibly being led astray by the supposedly unsolicited proposal from an Astro Turf sales pitch from someone looking for a business opportunity gift-wrapped as a “good idea” which should awaken and excite the corporation.”
On Monday, Dr Rowley dismissed the proposal by Martinez, an insurance agent, to transform the Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair into a “modern Public Wellness and Sports Tourism Hub” by installing synthetic grass.
Dr Rowley said it was “a salesman foolish idea.”
Last week, during a consultation exercise, Martinez gave details of the proposal which has not yet been committed to.
Dr Rowley on Facebook had posted, “Replacing the natural environment at Mandela Park with artificial turf is a salesman’s foolish idea that ought not to waste the time or the resources of the Port-of-Spain Corporation. The Government is sure the Corporation can put its time and money to much better use and spare us all this unnecessary aggravation.”
