Caption: The San Fernando Supreme Court under renovation earlier this year. AZP News/Sue-Ann Wayow
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Judiciary is not taking full blame for the delay in the reopening of the San Fernando Supreme Court as reconstruction which began in 2020 has come to a halt.
In a media release on Wednesday, the Judiciary responded to a statement made by the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) on Monday.
UDeCOTT stated, “Unfortunately, the project faced substantial setbacks due to numerous requests by the Judiciary for variations in the scope and lengthy periods awaiting mandatory approvals from the Judiciary in response to requests by UDeCOTT, which resulted in significant delay.”
The Judiciary stated, “While the Judiciary acknowledges that infrastructure projects of this nature may face challenges, the characterisation of delays as being primarily due to the Judiciary’s actions is wholly inaccurate and does not reflect the facts.
“In the interest of transparency and accountability, our records on this project include correspondence between UDeCOTT and the contractor which refer to the project delays due to the contractor’s persistent underperformance.
The Judiciary provided to the media letters dated in 2024 – April 2, July 4, July 26 and August 22 which specifically reference the delays by the contractor.
Further information on the timeline of events, based on its records, will be subsequently shared with the public, the release stated.
The Judiciary stated, “While it is acknowledged that the new board of UDeCOTT may still be acquainting themselves with information and details related to this project, the Judiciary stresses the importance of resolving the issue, completing the project and reopening the Court.”
The Judiciary said it also requested a meeting with the UDeCOTT chairman Shankar Bidassie via letter dated July 23 in an effort to discuss the project’s issues and arrive at solutions but to date, there has been no response
The Judiciary also stated regardless it was ready to do the work to advance the project.
On Monday, UDeCOTT ended the initial contract for the upgrade effective July 17 citing long delays and changes to the scope of works.
The contractual date for completion was October 30, 2024.
UDeCOTT also stated it continues to work closely with the Judiciary “to undertake the required procurement for the completion of the project and to ensure continuous and seamless access to justice.”
