By Sue-Ann Wayow
GOVERNMENT will seek to source additional funding by forming public-private partnerships in order to complete multi-million dollar projects.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert said on Monday that although the Covid-19 pandemic made a major hole in the construction sector this year and major State projects have been delayed, Government will be progressing with the completion of all existing projects.
During his Budget presentation in Parliament, Imbert said, “We are focusing on the construction sector as a critical pillar to anchor our drive for sustaining growth and accelerated national development.
“These projects are catalysing and stimulating the economy and notwithstanding the challenging environment created by Covid-19, including restrictive health measures, we have been able to complete several major construction projects.”
The sector, he said, has already achieved a degree of importance in the national economy, contributing 5.5% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 15% to 18% of the labour force.
Infrastructural projects include new and refurbished hospitals, a network of roads and highways as well as bridges and walkovers, the building, repair and maintenance of houses, industrial parks and commercial and industrial building, schools, airports and sewer systems.
Imbert said, “The upcoming demand for funding requirements will far exceed our ability to meet the required demand, especially due to the impact of Covid-19 additional expenditure. To that end, we are considering alternative sources of financing in particular public-private partnerships.”
He continued, “We have already agreed to introduce the private sector into the state-owned National Marine and Maintenance Services Company Limited to establish a state-of-the-art ship repair and maintenance industry.
“We are also seeking experienced international shipping businesses, cargo handling and cruise shipping to enter into a public-private partnership with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to improve port handling and cruise operations. To date, a Request for Information has been issued and we expect that a Request for Proposals will be issued shortly.”
For 2020, he listed the projects that were commissioned including the Curepe Interchange, the Moruga Agro-processing and Light Industrial Park, the Arima Hospital and the Point Fortin Hospital.
Other projects are at varying stages of completion including the highway network.
The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) is providing US$175 million for the sector-wide approach programme for a modernized transportation infrastructure which is consistent with the objectives of the pipeline projects which the Bank is already financing, the minister said.
Highways on the way in 2022
These projects include the $1.7 billion Churchill Roosevelt Highway extension to Manzanilla which represents five kilometres of highway connecting the communities of Wallerfield, Cumuto and Guaico and will also provide an alternative route for entry and exit to the town of Sangre Grande. The first phase of this highway should be completed in 2022, allowing better access to Sangre Grande, the minister announced.
He also said the Valencia to Toco Road will increase opportunities for business and economic investments for the eastern region, in particular the communities between Matelot and Sangre Grande. Detailed designs and statutory approvals are completed and construction is expected to commence in 2022.
Construction also continues on the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin that initially began 10 years ago under the People’s Partnership Administration.
The completed highway will make a crucial contribution to the development and growth of the communities connected by the highway, including Debe, Mon Desir, Fyzabad, La Brea and Point Fortin, Imbert said. He said next year, the priority link scheduled to be completed would be from Dumfries to Dunlop Roundabout in Point Fortin and Fyzabad to Mon Desir.
A vehicular and pedestrian bridge overpass is being constructed in Diego Martin with completion scheduled for 2022. The connectivity for the commuters from the Diego Martin Valley heading into the western peninsula will be significantly improved as current times are reduced and road safety and network efficiency upgraded, Imbert said.
The Macoya Interchange will continue the process of eliminating traffic lights in the East-West Corridor along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway while providing safe crossing facilities for pedestrians in the Macoya area and construction is expected to commence in 2022.
Imbert also said the new terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport was in the final stages of detailed design and land acquisition, and construction of the new Terminal Building was also scheduled to begin next year.
Making waves with sea transportation
Sea transportation was being improved with the development of Toco Port infrastructure expected to facilitate economic development in Toco and the surrounding communities between Matelot and Sangre Grande and improve the connectivity between Trinidad and Tobago, Imbert added.
Construction would commence after the satisfactory completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The Finance Minister also reminded the population that two ultra-modern new fast ferries have been added to the existing sea transport capacity between Trinidad and Tobago, the APT James and the Buccoo Reef.
Imbert also said, “The proposed Tobago Marina, in southwest Tobago, which is to be funded in the first instance by Government, is scheduled for commencement of construction in 2023, once all statutory approvals are obtained, and will add a vital component to the tourism infrastructure in Tobago.”
Adverse effects of climate change
Imbert said Government continued to monitor the adverse effects of climate change and rising sea levels on the shorelines and projects were in place to improve protection.
He said stabilisation works were progressing at the Cap-de-Ville shoreline where 950 meters are being protected from coastal erosion and the project is scheduled for completion in June 2022. Similar-type works are taking place in Matelot where 425 meters of coastline along the Paria main road are being protected.
“We are attaching a great deal of importance to this project, given that this roadway is the only access to Matelot. The completion date is imminent,” he said.
In Mayaro – Guayaguayare 550 meters of coastline are being protected with a scheduled completion date of October 2022.
And over the next years, Government will be hoping to accelerate with the San Fernando Waterfront Redevelopment Programme, Port of Spain Redevelopment Programme, Skinner Park Redevelopment Programme, the Urban Renewal and Revitalization Programme.
