No money to complete community centres: Baksh

Community Development Minister Nizam Baksh told reporters Tuesday the financial cupboard is bare and there is no money to complete the construction of community centres started by the People’s National Movement (PNM) government.

Baksh said the projects were over-budget and the PNM had planned to raise an additional $160 million complete the buildings.

The minister made the comments in an address at the Lady Hochoy Home, Gasparillo. He apologised for his ministry’s inability to immediately continue with the construction of the community centres but suggested that things could change.

"Thankfully we only have three months in this financial year," he said.

He said the shortage of funds is creating a problem for the new government because of the high cost overruns, which exceeded the original estimate by more than 50 per cent in some cases.

He said despite the lack of funds the PNM administration renewed at least 19 contracts between May 17 and May 20.