$300,000 for retreat; apologies to the media

The cost of the government's 4-day retreat in Tobago was about $300,000 according to Sandra Marchak, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

And Press Secretary Gavin Nicholas explained to reporters that members of the People's Partnership Government who brought their spouses paid the bills out of their own pockets.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told reporters all objectives set for the retreat were achieved and emphasised that Government re-established its vision and mission to serve the people.

"In my respectful view we achieved our set objectives and sometimes went beyond those to achieve other objectives," she said.

"We engaged in professional introspection and analysis and fostered the building of team spirit and cohesiveness and the development of skills, utilising modern technology and know-how," she added.

She raised the issue of communication specifically as an area where some members of her team must improve their skills.

Related: PM admits shortcomings in communication

She also noted that some of the professionals who led workshops and made presentations did not charge a fee.

And she apologised to members of the media who were treated shabbily by hotel staff at the Coco Reef hotel on Friday while the retreat was in progress.

"I'm sorry if you were put out of the hotel, again I had no knowledge. It was not with my consent, or any of us. It was not our intention to exclude you and I think you understand that," she said.