Money is no problem for $7.2B highway contract: Warner

Works Minister Jack Warner and PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the sod-turning ceremony for the new highway to Point Fortin

When Jack Warner spoke at the sod turning ceremony for the highway to Point Fortin last month he promised that the funding package for the $7.2 billion project "would blow your mind".

On Wednesday he gave the assurance that although the money has not yet been sourced getting it would be "a piece of cake".

He made the comment when he spoke with reporters at the Couva North Constituency office of MP Ramona Ramdial before making a tour of the constituency.

He reiterated that local and foreign banks which are "falling over themselves to fund our projects".

However he didn't name any bank. "I cannot tell you who the banks are, obviously, but in the fullness of time, give or take ten or 12 days, you will know which are the banks because NIDCO (National Infrastructure Development Company) has been given the authority by Cabinet to raise the necessary funding and this will be done," Warner said.

Warner also revealed that work on upgrading the lighting systems at Crown Point and Piarco Airports has begun. Warner directed the Airports Authority (AA) last year to award two contracts to Harry Persad and Sons Ltd and United Engineering Services Ltd. to do the work. There was no board in place at the time.

The project was halted after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked for a review of the contracts.The minister announced on Wednesday that the new AA board has awarded the contracts to the same two contractors.

"So it took us about six months to do. But at the end of the day, we did the right thing. I am happy. For me, that is a dream come true that Tobago is safe."