Facelift for POS, mayor Lee Sing praises Rambachan

File: Suruj Rambachan

Local Government Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan and Port of Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing met officially on Monday for the first time since Rambachan took over the ministerial portfolio from Chandresh Sharma.

Rambachan described the talks as fruitful and cordial and Lee Sing praised the minister. 

"We certainly look forward to achieving the kinds of targets that we have mutually set this afternoon with respect to a list of outstanding matters that have to be done and will be done as we proceed with the work of the corporation," Lee Sing told reporters.

File: Louis Lee Sing

"We have found it very very encouraging that you could have a minister of government who even though he represents the other side is able to listen, to lend advice and to make suggestions that enhances what you are proposing," he added.

For his part, the minister said: "We shared our concerns for the city and the vision we have and what is interesting is that I think our visions coincide in terms of what we want to do." 

Rambachan has proposed that about $35 million in unspent balances for the Port of Spain City Corporation be used for several projects, including a facelift for City Hall.

He told the media, "These are balances that the corporation didn't use over the years and they have accumulated in the account and they are sitting there and with the permission of the Ministry of Local Government and the concurrence of the minister it can be used for projects".

Rambachan added, "I have found the projects that he (Lee Sing) is advocating to be very useful and projects that will add value to the city ... and to the lives of people."

He said he suggested that Lee Sing should invite architects to submit proposals for developing the facade of City Hall.