By Sue-Ann Wayow
SHANGHAI Construction Group Caribbean Ltd hired to work on the billion-dollar Central Block at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital has threatened to abandon the project.
This was revealed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in answering a question in Parliament in the Lower House on Wednesday.
Dr Rowley said the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (UDeCOTT) was engaged in talks with the company.
The prime minister said given the general effect of supply and demand as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project had its challenges.
He said, “UDeCOTT and the contractors are dealing with a number of issues and differences which have arisen on this project. There are discussions and negotiations underway and those should see some sort of resolution to the challenges.”
One of the issues was the loss of time and impact on costings and progress going forward.
Oropouche East MP Dr Moonilal asked, “Could you confirm if Shanghai Construction has indeed terminated the contract with UDeCOTT and the government for the construction of this pride project the Port-of-Spain central block?”
Dr Rowley responded: “I am aware that some threats were made but I am not sure whether the threats were carried out. The contractor was threatening to terminate and UdeCOTT had no difficulty with that because UDeCOTT is protected by contractual arrangements.”
He repeated that negotiations were ongoing.
“I am not sure if the threat of or the issuance of a letter of termination is closing those discussions that are underway,” the prime minister added.
Dr Rowley also said he could not say what percentage of the project was completed at the time of the threats.
According to UDeCOTT’s website, the new Central Block in the Port-of-Spain General Hospital will have a bed capacity of 540 in-patient beds and the project was ongoing.
It is expected to function and be integrated within the existing hospital campus in providing comprehensive health care services administered by the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
“The hospital will be designed and constructed in accordance with accepted international best practices and standards with regard to space requirement, functionality and maintenance of ambient conditions,” UDeCOTT stated.
The sod was turned for the $1 billion 13 story Block which would have included the bed tower, a coronary unit, a 6-bed plastic surgery unit and provide medical, psychiatric, paediatric and ancillary services on November 19, 2019.
In May 2019, the Government had signed an agreement with Shanghai Construction Group Caribbean Limited for the construction of the project, which was expected to be completed through a public-private partnership.
