<\/p>\nBy Gail Alexander
\nwww.guardian.co.tt<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The cost of the Prime Minister\u2019s official residence and diplomatic centre in St Ann\u2019s has increased from $148 million to $175.3 million, due to additional external works outside the original scope of the project.
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\nAnd that may not be the full and final cost, according to signals from Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mariano Browne yesterday. <\/p>\n
Browne finally replied on the cost issue in the Senate, after a six-month delay on that matter. <\/p>\n
The Upper House resumed yesterday after vacation. <\/p>\n
Browne confirmed the additional cost of $27.3 million has brought the total cost of the residence\/diplomatic centre facility to $175.3 million. <\/p>\n
While he said this was not a cost overrun, Browne could not categorically confirm if the $175.3 million was the full and final cost of the facility. <\/p>\n
Browne projected \u201ccertain things\u201d could come up in future. But he could not give costs at this point. <\/p>\n
When the St Ann\u2019s facility was announced last year\u2014and when it was handed over earlier this year\u2014the final cost was given by the Government as $148 million. <\/p>\n
Construction was done by the Shanghai Construction Group International (T&T Ltd). The Guardian exclusively reported on June 10 that additions\u2014including an administration centre and security features\u2014were subsequently being done to the residence. <\/p>\n
This was confirmed by Udecott at the time. However, Udecott declined to answer queries on how much the additions would cost or who undertook that work. <\/p>\n
Yesterday, Browne said the final cost of the official residence was $41, 952,091 million and $63,478,403 million for the diplomatic centre. <\/p>\n
Other costs of $42,584,639 million were also incurred for design of the facilities plus construction of external structures including security, a pool and \u201cadditional water features.\u201d <\/p>\n
All of those costs totalled $148,015,133\u2014the cost of the facility which had been originally given. <\/p>\n
Browne said the cost of the building works for the residence and centre in the original scope of works remained the same. <\/p>\n
But, he said, \u201cAdditional external works outside the original scope of the project were undertaken.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThese additions amounted to the sum of approximately $27.3 million,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Browne confirmed the additional facilities included an administration building, a multi-vehicle garage, a drivers\u2019 lounge for drivers of visiting dignitaries and additional public washrooms. <\/p>\n
He said all of this brought the total cost of the project to $175.3 million but did not say when the additions were done or who handled it. <\/p>\n
Browne was asked by UNC Senator Wade Mark if he agreed there was an almost $28 million cost overrun on the project. <\/p>\n
Browne said it was not an overrun, since the building was completed on budget. He said the additional works were not anticipated at the time of design. <\/p>\n
Mark asked if the $175.3 million was the full and final cost for the facility or if more could be expected. <\/p>\n
Browne said, \u201cAs far as I know, that is the final construction cost, but as you\u2019re aware when one moves into a place and when one undertakes functions, certain things come up from time to time and it is certain that is likely to happen in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIf Mr Mark is asking what are the likely costs of those changes, I cannot, at this time, say,\u201d Browne added. <\/p>\n
Browne also said payments of taxes by the Shanghai Construction Group during construction were a total of $13,406,343 million. <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.guardian.co.tt\/news5.html<\/p>\n
$27.3M MORE<\/b><\/big><\/p>\n