Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:11 hours 35 min ago
It’s official—$2m for flag
Published: 5 Nov 2009
Gary Hunt
It’s official. The 60 feet by 36 feet national flag fluttering at the Hasely Crawford Stadium cost $2 million. In response to recent criticism from the media and the public on the actual cost of the flag, Minister of Sport Gary Hunt and chairman of Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Sportt) Kenneth Charles have confirmed that total price of the flag is $2 million and the job was contracted to Fireone Fireworks. Hunt and Charles held a media conference yesterday at the offices of Sportt, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. Hunt confirmed Fireone Fireworks was contracted to erect the flag and flagpole. He said three companies bid for the project, one of which was the international company Phabha Sports. Hunt said Fireone Fireworks won the contract, based on experience, price, reputation and its relationship with US Flag & Flagpole Supply. Hunt said the flag itself cost $18,112.15 as earlier reported, however the majority of the $2 million was attributed to the construction, erection, design and supply. Charles broke down the total cost of the flag and flagpole. He revealed that the foundation and installation works cost $940,000. He explained that a 20-foot by 20-foot by 15-foot foundation was needed to support the 150-foot flag.
He said the foundation used 400 tonnes of reinforced concrete and 200 tonnes of steel, reinforcements, blue stone and granular backfill. The design and supply of the flagpole cost $932,400. He said the pole is 165 feet high overall and weighs 15,650 pounds. He said the pole was engineered to meet all international specifications and was made of A-36 carbon steel to withstand the 130 miles an hour winds when it is raised. He also confirmed that three additional flags were bought for $54,336, totalling a cost of approximately $2 million. Despite the backlash, Hunt said the flag was created to serve as a constant reminder of the nation’s sporting heroes and was meant to inspire patriotism and national pride among the population. He also said $2 million spent on it was a worthy and life-long investment. Hunt said the flag was a part of a collaboration with Sportt to refurbish and update the Hasely Crawford Stadium in time for the Caribbean Games and all other future events.
He said the project was part of the Government’s strategic national plan, Vision 2020. He said the ministry had not publicly released the cost breakdown earlier, as it was ensuring that all calculations and facts were correct. Hunt explained that the cost of the flag itself was revealed on Tuesday to disassociate that cost from the total cost of the project. He said the project fell into the ministry’s budget for the last fiscal year. Hunt said the ministry had actually worked under its allocated budget from the previous fiscal year. When asked about the two extra flags that were bought, he responded by saying that the ministry had future plans to add more legacy flags to other stadiums across the country to promote national pride that wouldl last for generations. He said despite public controversy, in time the public would come to appreciate the efforts made to inspire the nation.
No ambulance for ill
No ambulance for ill cop
Thursday, November 5 2009
COLLEAGUES of a Princes Town police officer who collapsed on the job and had to be taken to the district health centre in a police vehicle after waiting over an hour in vain for the ambulance, are calling on the Police Service Welfare Association to provide ambulances for police officers.
Sorry but the money was better spent on a flag to boost national pride.
Telling the truth with a
Telling the truth with a straight face is indeed a fine art.
Is there now need for a Ministry of Truth?
In truth, would the legendary Pinnochio been in agony over his competition? The other day the TT national flag cost x dollars, today, under pressure from the media, the man with the movie star face eventually admitted it actually cost $2mil.
Then, I saw the clip on television where a high official said that the head opposition official had 'initiated' a meeting at the high government official's St Anns residence. Another clip had him scurrying back to the media, apparently at the behest of the head opposition man, to retract the story and say that indeed it was he, the chief head man himself who had initiated the meeting.
Now, honestly, it leaves some doubt in my sometimes forgetful mind (or maybe it's my temporary state of dementia [no offence to genuine suffers, apologies in advance]about the true cost of so many other things, such as the Brian Lara Stadium at Tarouba, the various tall buildings and official buildings, and the true amount of monies being 'lent' to Caribbean leaders, the cost of the water taxis, various other boats, projects ad infinitum. Forgive me, 'cause I'm really confused now, hence my apparent incoherence.
Honestly, I'm not saying that anyone is lying, since we all know that our leading politicians are never strangers to the truth. They have mastered the fine the art of telling a truth with a straight face.
Is it time, then, to introduce a 'Truth Amendment Bill' in Parliament and for the establishment of a 'Ministry of Truth'? Hell, even rename the tv and publicity section as 'Truth Division' of the Information Ministry. Ah wonder who they will get to head that division?
Disclaimer: Please note that any persons mentioned above bear no resemblance to any person in TT, living or dead. For true! And this is 'straight from the hart'!
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Amir I gues we should get a
Amir I gues we should get a "Ministry of Truth" since all the others are ministries of LIE. Thanks for the smile this morning :).
THE CITIZEN OF THE REPUBLIC,
THE CITIZEN OF THE REPUBLIC, spent two million on a flag and there was no help to the organizers of Independence day, calibration in Toronto, when ask to contribute, THEY WERE TOLD, " NO FUNDS " available for such event. or perhaps there was FUNDS,only to shear between those at the Commission. TAKE IT FROM THERE!
I guess that we can all
I guess that we can all breathe a sigh of relief now. Phew...
So why all the drama about the cost of this overpriced "symbol of national pride" before?
The average man on the street is still very upset with Hunt and his high-flying crew for such wanton waste of taxpayers' funds.
I wonder what else do we have to look forward for in the future from the Government over-spenders?
http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
Where does Manning get these
Where does Manning get these morons and clowns from? I can't believe that our future is in the hands of such arrogant idiots who continue to take us all for fools.
We were told by the minister last week he did not know if the flag cost $2 million. Next thing we heard it cost only $18,000 (forget the loose change). But we were cleverly not told that the devil was in the details. And now we finally have confirmation that that symbol of our priceless national pride really did cost $2 million, a small price to pay for national pride. And that is not the final cost of national pride. According to the Express there are a few more flags going up and they will have to be replaced routinely every few months, albeit not at $2 million a throw.
I suppose at least our national pride is safe and well out of the reach of the stray dogs. Now we won't be able to say dog eat we national pride.
I have to wonder whether these items were submitted and approved in the Sports' Ministry budget. If so the Minister of Finance should also be held acountable, not to mention the Cabinet's collective responsibility for approving such a project, assuming it was submitted to Cabinet. Hopefully, the Auditor General would scrutinise this extravagance.
I'd also be curious to find out what the bids of the other tenders were and the criteria used in the selection, even though I have a fair idea of the criteria.
Well said by you all
Well said by you all comrads............
According to the calypso about the 10mil and Rowley who was vindicated of that charge ....is not where de money gone Pastor PM is Where de money going????
As we all see "its down de """adjective""" drain.
this reminds me of the Jean Miles statute that caused civil unrest here in Trinidad.
It will never stop even after the money is finished because we have ""adjective"" imps at the head
jp
"Where does Manning get
"Where does Manning get these morons and clowns from?"
Do not forget - 'like' attracts 'like' to them. Regrettably, these 'clowns' and 'morons' have achieved the priviledged positions of running this country (into the ground). And they keep getting voted back in !!
Now really, the production of the flag was 'thrown in' to the cost of the contract. What a disgraceful waste of taxpayers money. Imagine, $940,000 for the structure to house the flag. This is really what the contract was all about.
There is fundamentally nothing wrong with trying to foster national pride, but what are we trying to do here, compete with the US ?. Salute the flag every day ? More flag raising will not suddenly help to engender national pride in this country. That only comes from things that are much more fundamental - respect for fellow citizens; respect for government; attention paid to social issues and an improved standard of living for those in need.
"The answer my friend is
"The answer my friend is blowin in the wind..." (Bob Dylan).
"The answer my friend is
"The answer my friend is blowin in the wind..." (Bob Dylan).
Is his nick-name
Is his nick-name Isaac?
Vote: Yes _____
Vote: No _____
You don't understand: ____
NYC-Trini
NYC boy...... yuh real
NYC boy...... yuh real bad
yuh know one of the lady ministers said the she is a Christian with a big * I will not out the letter
Nevertheless the answer to that question is a big fat YES
Isaac is probably his real
Isaac is probably his real name not ah nickname...lol good one.
You have to wait hours for
You have to wait hours for dialysis. You have to wait hours for health care ( 5 hours with my kid daughter at MT Hope ), and these clowns making a 2 million dollar flag sound like something to be proud of. What the hell wrong with my country? These people we put to lead wasting our money the second time around. In the 70s and 80s most might not remember, William's say "money is no problem".
Now this next clown wasting our money like if it was his own. I tell you, Manning and Panday is the same thing in different clothes. One have designer, the other have clothes from the 60s. If this selfish country dont unite, just people will be eating people.
PNM_TILL_I_DIE
The flag as well as our
The flag as well as our money is blowing in the wind!
Rik Hansel
Kickback-that is the
Kickback-that is the question. It is not about being proud of our flag, we all are. $2 Million on a flag that should really cost ~$300k. That is the question Mr. Hunt. Someone or many got a kickback from this deal. Kickback is common in T&T business transactions especially with government contracts regardless of which government is in power. However the more money the country has the more corruption occurs. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MANY OF OUR PEOPLE IN SENIOR POSITIONS LACK THE MEANING OF TWO WORDS: CONFLICT OF INTEREST and ETHICS.How sad,the poorer and middle income people are being deprived on everything from basic services to a better life.
Concerned Trini.
not really sure if i'll call
not really sure if i'll call what i'm feeling "national pride"....i'll probably say that the feeling is described more so as "national shame or disgust".......or am i just the only one feeling this way?!
ATTENTION MR.GARY
ATTENTION MR.GARY HUNT!
PLEASE CHECK THIS WEBSITE: -
https://www.usflag.com/monster-flagpoles.html
The US Flag & Flag Pole Company states that a 150 ft flagpole (unflagged windload 130mph) for a flag 30 by 60 feet cost USD 21,450!
The US Flag & Flagpole website also states that: -
Engineering: All Monster Flagpoles are engineered to meet ANSI/NAAMM FP-1001-97 Guide Specifications for Design Loads of Metal Flagpoles. Monster Flagpoles are the only flagpoles 100' and above that are designed and manufactured to meet all local wind code & ice loading requirements across the United States. Based on information provided by the customer, U.S. Flag can provide engineering as well as budgetary cost information for any custom flagpole and or flagpole foundation at an additional cost.
Flagpole Construction: Each flagpole is constructed of A-36 Carbon Steel, which offers a 36,000 PSI Yield Point. Each section is joined utilizing seamless steel concentric reducers, which provides a uniform taper-like appearance. In addition to matching touch-up paint, each flagpole will come with a standard size corrugated steel foundation sleeve with a steel base place and lightning spike arrestor.
Hardware: Each flagpole will come with an Internal Stainless Steel Winch System, which includes the following: Heavy Duty Revolving Truck Ball Assembly with 1.25" Stainless Steel Spindle, 1/8" Stainless Steel Aircraft Cable, Locking Stainnless Steel Internal Winch w/ Removable Handle, Beaded Retainer Rings, Counterweight, 2" Stainless Steel Snap Hooks, 3/8" Q-Links, and Flag Arrangement. Electric Winch can be substituted in lieu of manual winch for flagpoles over 130'. Additional charges will apply.
Paint: Monster Flagpoles are first sand-blasted to prepare the entire surface of the flagpole to receive primer. Then, they are coated with a hig performance, two-component chemically cured epoxy semi-gloss primer in preparation for painting. Finally, the finish is completed with a aliphatic urethane gloss enamel, which is specifically designed for maximum gloss & color retention.
So I guess (I'm not bright) that the flagpole cost included some extras, right?
AND THEN CHECK THESE WEBSITES TOO: -
http://www.newsday.com/upstate-village-claims-tallest-flagpole-in-ny-1.1...
http://www.cubany.org/html/flagpole.htm
In short, the Allegany Chamber of Commerce (Cuba N.Y.) in the US, organinzed a project to install a 150ft flagpole and flag. The estimate for the project was USD 40,000.00. The stadium flagpole is 15ft higher!
SO IN ALL CONSCIENCE, HOW DID THIS BILL ADD UP TO TTD 2,000,000.00 OR USD 320,000.00?
Vision 20/20 is the problem,
Vision 20/20 is the problem, not the flag. Are Trinbagonians really buying this moronic idea that we could achieve developed world status by 2020. Developed world status cannot be achieved by putting up monstrous edifices that take away the ocean breeze which flows gently through the former twin island paradise. How soon we forget. Remember the same PNM said that about the Hall of Justice, the Financial Twin Towers and the Mt Hope Complex. Let's see. Is justice on a fast track today. Do the Minister of Finance and the junior minister dispense better fiscal policy. Well I don't have to ask crap about Mt. Hope. Developed worls status begins with respect for institutions. For example, you could fly a flag as big as Manning's ego in the stadium, will all patrons stand when the National Anthem is played. Developed world status continues with disclipne, i.e., do what you're supposed to, when you're supposed to, how you're supposed to, and in the best manner possible. We all know that you could put Manning in Tarouba and it doesn't mean he will beat Panday in the high jump.
That is a helluva screwjob,
That is a helluva screwjob, to put ah 165 feet shaft and 600 tonnes of concrete and steel in dat little itty bitty hole...
Jumbie's Watch
Mr Castillo..they call it
Mr Castillo..they call it "bobboll". If only we could get ambulances, police vehicles..or a working blimp.
But without much ado..we can get a flag grossly overpriced, in no time. Why cant we wake up one morning to read on the headlines that every police station got 3 vehicles, overnight??
The list of why's will continue.
MANNING AND HIS GOVT WILL WIN ELECTIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN.
This flag issue will be a non issue come election day. The issue of raising our property taxes to fund the national flag will be a non issue.
Trinis forget and forget fast.
So fellow trinis..let us not forget that ALL of us should be filled with national pride when we have to pay increased house taxes next year to have our flag flying high.. Our money will be flying high..
BOBBOLL!!!!!
Yeah, dey shoulda get China
Yeah, dey shoulda get China to make the flag. Imagine TT flag "MADE IN CHINA"
Then it mighta cost $1000TT and all yuh go say, 'cheap thing no good'
Gosh man, wha' all yuh want ? Make up all yuh mind. Made in USA must be dearer, huh?
Dearest Margaret, I am
Dearest Margaret,
I am certain that if we opted for the Chinese, they would have done it freely, for gratis and for nothing, what with all the current construction contracts that they have to benefit their brother, tantie,uncle, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandmother, grandfather,mother and father and all the future contracts that they will be getting to provide for their offspring before T&T sinks on account of tall buildings, art centres, waterfront complexes, presidential palaces, private concert halls et al!
There are quite a few cheap and free things that are good, the ability not to deceive is one of them!
What ! Is for free? Then the
What ! Is for free? Then the Minister wasnt thinking u say? He coulda get this flag for free? And save we $2m too?
Gary Hunt, You have my
Gary Hunt, You have my support. These flags are a fantastic idea. Even if it cost $500,000 to erect some people would still complain and find fault. Not everyone can be pleased.
Marcopolo, you must not be
Marcopolo, you must not be one that pays taxes in Trinidad. Or perhaps Mr "Moron" Hunte must be your friend.
If one flag that costs
If one flag that costs TT$18,000.00 actually costs us TT$2m Then are we expected to fork out another TT$6m to install the other 3 flags that Fireone Fireworks FX putting up? I looked at the figures and saw no fees for consultancy or otherwise, so I'm pretty sure that the TT$2m was not very accurate. In time we will find out the true costs.
Are these additional flags
Are these additional flags for The Palace, the Performing Arts Centre and the new Private Concert Hall?
Does Mr.Isaac Hunte ah mean
Does Mr.Isaac Hunte ah mean Gary Hunte know how many hospital beds can be bought for $2m, hell it can even send a few patients to Cuba for treatment.
Allyuh chuppid
Allyuh chuppid trinis..
Check the man bank account. Check in Bermuda for bank accounts of Trinidadian politicians
Check in the Cayman for bank accounts...
Dotish people, the Government robbing you blind and all you can do is write an article in the papers..
take to the streets. protest..
But no, there is "no political alternative"....
then take yuh shaft, shut yer ass and eat the flag when you hungry.
Please be more respectful in
Please be more respectful in your comments on this blog; that is if you know the meaning of the word respectful!
Mr. Ramsingh, apparently
Mr. Ramsingh, apparently your nationality is not Trinidadian. Also, you have to remember that perhaps you do have relatives who might still be living on the island, so please watch your words...you actually appear to have a limited vocabulary. Please don't appear as being a moron.
Money must always be treated
Money must always be treated as a scarce resource. Ask the wealthiest people.
Why wasn't the flag located on the stadium structure itself, using one of the stanchions as the support base of the flag. That would have eliminated the cost of a $900.000.00 concrete footing and some of the steel cost for the vertical base. Then, more money could have been allocated to purchasing more fabric (the cheapest raw material in the project)and so produce an even bigger flag which would have made it more discernible. I am assuming this was the objective of the showing of the flag.
Whenever I visit the revenue office in Tunapuna I am unable to get parking. Why wasn't the building built to the height of at least four levels, with the fourth level used for a large Public Library to facilitate the numerous school children in the environs, and the old library across the road demolished, and the property there used as a carpark.
Common sense is not quite so common.
We can stop buying clothes
We can stop buying clothes from RADICAL DESIGNS
and we as LOYAL CITIZENS should begin to think how do we take back this country and making it a place we all want to live in safely.
We have no option with either the PNM or the UNC.
lets educate the uneducated... since the educated cannot win the seats by themselves in the next elections
All in agreement say "Aye"!
All in agreement say "Aye"!
Well Done Henry
Well Done Henry Castillo
That's some good investigative journalism Henry Castillo, and all it took was a few clicks on your keyboard. Our Trini journalists could learn a thing or two from your example.
Scarface
Thank you Scarface! But did
Thank you Scarface! But did you read the statement by Kenneth Charles (Chairman of the Sportt Company) in today's Newsday that "a similar flag of 410 feet recently installed in Jordan cost 7.56 million TT dollars.”
Now read this: - http://www.progressiveu.org/212104-daily-life-in-amman-jordan
In summary it says that there is a flag tax in Jordan; citizens pay one dinar (approximately .70USD per month to pay for the giant flagpole. No wonder they could spend that amount of money on it.
You think that may happen here? Eh Scarface?
....hey Gary, let them eat
....hey Gary, let them eat cake!!......
Hunte must be a major moron
Hunte must be a major moron and thinks perhaps the people of the twin islands are also. So what if there is a huge $2m flag and we can't be outside to enjoy it because of so much crime. It would take a retard to sign off on something like this and then turn around and talk about national pride. I remember my grandmother saying that to know if a fish is rotten look at the head. So, in this case it is the leader of the pack is a hot mess, so then his followers are just as bad. IT IS TIME TO LET THEM GO, before they steal more of our money from the Treasury.
One flag cost
One flag cost $18,112.15
With three more flags to install, the overall cost is 4x$18,112.15=$72,448.60
Considering that these flags have a lifespan of four months, they are to be replaced three times a year.
Therefore, the yearly cost is 3x$72,448.60=$217,345.80
The government has just committed the taxpayers of this country to an expense of $217,345.80/annum.
Those who are complaining ain't see nothing yet. Wait until the maga structurs in downtown Port of Spain are completed and go into use. These structures are not designed to generate income, and would cost the taxpayers millions of dollars to operate and maintain yearly. They may resemble the structures in Manhattan, U.S.A., but those structures in Manhattan are built by private companies and floors are rented out to generate income. In fact, the government gain in the form of taxes, etc from these structures. Our government would have no choice but to increase taxes to keep these buildings in use. This is what we get when we elect someone who could not even pay his property mortgage to run a country.
Sure, my grand-father once
Sure, my grand-father once taught me that 'honesty is the best policy'
Maybe the project selection criteria was unique, 'cheaper, better, faster'
THE THING IS!! Your
THE THING IS!! Your grandfather being honest, may have been poor all his life and died a HAPPY MAN. NOT these "SWINES" who cannot get enough feeding at " THE TROUGH "
Oh! Goody; goody; another
Oh! Goody; goody; another site I can take my foreign friend to see on her visit to Trinidad & Tobago, along with the beaches, Tobago, the pitch lake, the swamps and all the other beautiful places TT has to offer, we have one more, the 2M Flag.
Thanks for adding another landmark to visit, can’t wait to arrive in TT one more picture to take,
Thanks Manning and your fellow idiots …… “Great Job”
The flag is an
The flag is an investment.The best investment after oil and gold.In a few months that flag would be worth about 5 million dollars.The sports minister ie a genie-ass.
Of course; money doh grow on
Of course; money doh grow on trees; it grows on flags.
Reporter; What is your name
Reporter; What is your name ?
Minister: Mr. Hunte
Reporter: What does everyone know you as?
Minister: Isaac Hunte.
You people think Calder Hart
You people think Calder Hart is BAD,you better think again.This dude is an idiot.I am talking about the sports minister whatever is his name I dont know and I dont care for this IDIOT.If he has a wife she now has second taughts.I am sorry for her,she made the decision to marry this idiot now she got to live with it.