By Sue-Ann Wayow

THE refurbishment works at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s are almost complete.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Barry Padarath said on Thursday, over the past two months, work has been done to have the Diplomatic Centre functioning to its full capacity.

He was answering  questions asked by AZP News during a post Cabinet media briefing which was held at the venue.

The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) is the state agency responsible for the upkeep of the Centre as well as Whitehall, the official office of the prime minister.

It is also responsible for the official prime minister’s residence.

Padarath said, “When we came into office, there were a number of recommendations that were made to us by the permanent secretary and others with respect to the upkeep maintenance etc. that they were not very happy with in terms of the conditions, the functionality of these spaces.”

“Over the last two months in particular, some work has started here at the Diplomatic Centre, not at the residence.”

He said there was a sewer system problem which was fixed.

“The work has started, a lot of the work at the Diplomatic Centre has been completed, there are some more that needs to be done.”

Padarath said no work has begun on Whitehall and the prime minister’s residence as yet.

When asked where was the staff located for the OPM, Padarath explained there were several offices under the OPM.

“Only the permanent secretary, the head of the public service, two assistants and there is one office for the prime minister herself and one office downstairs for any other minister who serves in the Office of the Prime Minister. Those are the offices available at Whitehall.”

He said the Cabinet Secretariat in the basement at Whitehall had to move because of flooding and mould.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made arrangements for the Cabinet Secretariat to work in a more conducive environment.

“The other operations in terms of archives, communications etc continue to operate out of St Clair,” Padarath said.

Upon coming into office in May, several issues were raised concerning the three buildings. The Diplomatic Centre was first used publicly last month to host a dinner with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then subsequently used to host Cabinet meetings.

Prior to that, Cabinet meetings were held at the Red House in Port of Spain.