Manning opens $480M Academy; praises Hart, UDeCOTT

Prime Minister Patrick Manning formally opened the controversial National Academy for the Performing Arts Monday, expressing pride in the project that cost the taxpayers of Trinidad and Tobago $480 million.

In an opening address Manning praised UDeCOTT and its chairman, Calder Hart, for undertaking the project, as well as the builders, the Shanghai Construction Group, for their efforts in helping to achieve another success in his government’s massive construction program.

He spoke of "slings and arrows", public scepticism and cynicism and suggested that all of that is changing to national pride now that the non-believers can see the results.

Manning said there were many "doubting Thomases" who never believed that the country could such a "magnificent structure" and slammed critics who "were upset that Government refuses to be part what he called a "lynch mob" out to get UDeCOTT and Hart.

He paid tribute to UDeCOTT and particularly, Hart. And he said the state-owned organization remains "the instrument that the Government is using to bring about a new order in the construction sector...The Government refuses to be a part of the witch hunt.”

And as he usually does, Manning referred to the Bible to make his point: "Many can talk, but few can build. As the Bible says, 'By these deeds we shall know them'."

Manning addressed critics who doubted that the project would ever be completed. "Manning was not trying to fool anybody...we have built it," he said.

"It appears as though many of us could not see the vision but as the facilities become available, things become clearer," he said, adding that it would happen in San Fernando when the Performing Academy is opened next year.

He said the transformation anticipated by Vision 2020 is taking shape and pointed out that it was never random or haphazard.

And in a reference to the controversial hotel that led to the dismissal of his cabinet colleague Keith Rowley, Manning said it was clear for all present to see that the hotel at the Academy was not an afterthought, but was an integral part.

Rowley, who refused to attend the event, was fired after he kicked a fuss about the hotel. The trouble started at a cabinet sub-committee meeting at which he complained that the hotel was being built without cabinet oversight.

Manning denied that and later fired Rowley, saying his action was because Rowley's "wajang" behaviour was not becoming of a government minister. But Rowley insisted that he was kicked out because he dared to question UDeCOTT and Hart.

The prime minister said the cost for the centre he was opening and the one scheduled for completion in San Fernando next year would be TT$820 million. He noted that of the TT$480 million invested in the Port of Spain project about $100 million went to local contractors.

Two years ago former culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams gave the cost for the as Academy as $358 million. If both figures are accurate there was a cost overrun for the Academy of $122 million.

The building projects will continue, he said, noting that the next major construction would be the Cultural Centre at Queen’s Park Savannah and restoration of the President’s House.

He said the design concept was the national flower the Chaconia and the shining skin was designed to make a connection to the steelpan. He said the stage is the only one in the world specifically designed for pan.