Jack, Kamla launch $400M infrastructure rehab project

Road rehab project to employ 3,000

Jack Warner launched a $400 million infrastructure rehabilitation program in Rio Claro Wednesday with a pledge to give the country value for the money.

The Minister of Works and Infrastructure said, "I promise to you the people of Trinidad and Tobago and to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that I will ensure good return on our investment as the People's Partnership government moves to develop the infrastructure of our nation and take this country into the 21st century."

Persad-Bissessar, who had to abort a meeting of the leaders of the People's partnership to attend the event, called on both Warner and his junior minister, Stacy Roopnarine, to be watchdogs over one of the largest road rehabilitation programs in the history of the country.

"We charge Minister Warner and Stacy Roopnarine to ensure that the supervision of these projects is such to give us quality work within time, within budget and in a transparent manner."

The program will involve 203 projects across Trinidad and Tobago.

Persad-Bissessar said hundreds of miles of road will be upgraded. In addition the program will repair landslips and bridges. 

"I am advised that during this period over 3,000 people will find direct employment and another 1,000 or so will earn indirect revenue through micro-economic enterprises," she said.

She noted that in the first phase contractors at all levels will be included and she called on the contractors to deliver quality work.