By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE estimated cost by the State to host the Regional Symposium on Violence as a Public Health Issue has cost taxpayers approximately $3.5 million.
A breakdown of the costs was provided to Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal in Parliament on Monday.
Dr Moonilal had previously posed that question to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the answer was provided in written form.
The reply stated that the Office of the Prime Minister did not incur any cost to the State since final invoices have not yet been submitted.
Given the tight timeline, a decision was made to engage the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UdeCOTT) to execute the event and Cabinet in April agreed to an estimated cost of $3, 409, 230 to host the event which was held from April 17 to 18.
Following is a breakdown of the costs based on the question asked:
Hotel accommodation, meals and related services for local and foreign delegates and support staff:
| Items | Cost |
| Hotel Accommodation | $225,300 |
| Food and Beverages | $400,000 |
| Dinner of Heads of Delegation | $60,000 |
| Meals for Secretariats (Volunteers, translators) | $50,000 |
| Total: | $342,488.89 |
- All goods and services inclusive of entertainment associated with the opening and closing ceremonies:
| Expenses | Cost |
| Opening ceremony cultural event | $90,000 |
| Master of Ceremonies | $10,000 |
| Moderator | $14,000 |
| Ushers/Protocol Officers | $25,000 |
| Total: | $139,000 |
Costs associated with the reception for delegates at the end of the symposium inclusive of meals, beverages, entertainment and gifts:
The reply states there was no reception for delegates at the end of the symposium.
| Expenses | Cost |
| Tokens/Memorabilia: Heads of State | $75,000 |
| Total: | $75,000 |
Amount spent on logistics (Transport, rental, drivers, marketing and advertisements):
| Expenses | Cost |
| Rental for luxury vehicles for Heads of Government | $200,000 |
| Décor/Set Up/Hospitality | $200,000 |
| Set Design, Banners, Digital Board, Signage etc | $800,000 |
| Total: | $1,200,000 |
Cost of all live and delayed media broadcast (television, radio and social media):
| Expenses | Cost |
| Opening – Engagement with print media | $150,000 |
| Website and Content development | $100,000 |
| Social Media Strategies/Media Monitoring | $100,000 |
| Photography/Videography Editing | $200,000 |
| Total: | $550,000 |
Other related costs:
| Expenses | Cost |
| Invitations | $5,000 |
| Venue Security | $50,000 |
| Team Uniforms | $22,222.22 |
| Token Memorabilia: Patrons (250 persons) | $50,000 |
| Event Planner | $140,000 |
| Display by NGOs | $50,000 |
| Translators | $44,444.45 |
| Coordinator of National Secretariat | $30,000 |
| Total: | $400,000 |
