Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:9 hours 45 min ago
It’s an outdoor stage, not concert hall—Imbert
Published: 6 Nov 2009
The new building being constructed on the compound of the Prime Minister’s official residence in St Ann’s. PHOTO: JENNIFER WATSON
The new structure being built on the compound of the Prime Minister’s official residence is an outdoor stage—and not a “concert hall” —and is going to cost approximately $10 million, Works Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday. Speaking at the Government’s weekly media briefing, Imbert said: “I have been given a figure but I’m not sure how accurate the figure is. If it is accurate then it’s certainly value for money. I was told it is going to cost approximately $10 million. If that is true, from the size of what I’m seeing there, it is way below market rate.”
He said he was told the structure would be completed by year-end. “By the way it’s an outdoor facility,” he said. “I’ve heard it’s been referred to by someone as a concert hall. I don’t know where you all got that from, but you all are very creative. The media in T&T is very creative—it is an outdoor stage. It’s a stage that allows for performances to be done outdoors.” Adjoining the stage on the St Ann’s compound are the Diplomatic Centre and the PM’s official residence building. Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s own residence—he has said in Parliament - is in Vistabella, San Fernando.
Lordie, Lordie... Another
Lordie, Lordie...
Another Minister ready for a straight-jacket !!
Minister Imbert must think the people of T&T are utter fools.
1). He's extremely defensive about the cost of the 'structure' - as being below market value. Mr. Imbert, we did not ask for a real estate assessment.
2). 'It's an outdoor' facility !! Yes, its outdoors in the sense that's it's 'outside' of or 'away from' the PM's official residence. However, in all my travels, I have yet to see an 'outdoor facility' outfitted with a roof (unless it's a retractable roof) and concrete walls. (It looks like a jail, by the way).
3).'It's an outdoors stage'. Really ? Make up your mind. Please show us where the seating is for the 'outdoors' audience'. Will invitees need to bring a seat, a raincoat or an umbrella with them ?
On the other hand, considering what the much talked about flagpole cost, this facility might indeed be a 'steal' at 10 M$!! Now, was that TT $'s or US $'s ?
.....Minister Imbert is
.....Minister Imbert is bereft of the slightest dram of shame.....
I think it's the entire PNM
I think it's the entire PNM government that's "bereft of the slightest dram of shame"!
They honestly think the citizens of T&T are fools...or maybe they just don't care what the people think.
Shameless...
But doesnt this look like a
But doesnt this look like a typical Chinese building in the small towns? Life is so stressful in Trinidad. There is no control, There is maladministration, things gone haywire,What with 2MM$ flag and more flags coming, bridges left unbuilt like we in Africa, 3 storey hotel at the PM residence when he built govt franchised hotels? then a concert hall? Does this tell us that the Govt does not want foreign diplomatic visitors to see the public, to live in hotels, to go to concerts in the new Arts building or the Queens Hall? I dont think I would like a concert hall with blaring music near the PM bedrooms or visitors rooms> the blaring of music constantly till early morning, how will the visitors sleep?
Desmond, is not a "concert
Desmond, is not a "concert hall", it's an "outdoor facility".
Looks kinda big for an
Looks kinda big for an "outhouse". But I suppose you have to consider the size of the Cabinet and their production levels.
Desmond, I think I have some
Desmond, I think I have some clues about the use and function of this building:
Manning say when he goes on his walk-about, all the people asking for is houses and houses and more houses. I believe he is constructing a few apartments for the homeless.
If is not that it is for his Cabinet members. He must have read where Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil (Sun King) built Versailles Palace and Gardens and encouraged his nobles to spend time there hunting, playing and having a good time. But his real purpose was to have them close by so that he could keep an eye on them in case they were plotting any kind of mischief. Notice the Versailles Palace was also three-storeyed and bears an uncanny ressemblance to the St Anns Palace. Coincidence?
If that is not the reason for this mysterious structure, another possible explanation is that with all the pressure Manning giving the people, St Anns running out of places. So any overflows from the nearby facilities could be accommodated here. Notice the kind of construction? Ressembles the housing units those poor Chinese workers were occupying in Cunupia.
One other use this purpose-built unit could be put to is the detention and incarceration of high profile political prisoners and dissidents. Rowley and Ramesh could be among the firsts "guests".
'Come-see-never-see',that's
'Come-see-never-see',that's how this whole oil/gas wealth thing in Trinidad and Tobago is panning. It reminds me of a poor fella I know who suddenly won a lotto. Needless to say, he was poor once again after one year of binge upon binge and more gambling. Who is manning our money? It it a case of 'compensation-deprivation' theory at work here, or is it come-see-never-see type spending? About this building, it surely didn't come up overnight. How many more seemingly extravagant surprises are going to be sprung on us taxpayers and where? Man, this looking like real 'St Anns' 'madhouse' thing in truth!!!
By the way, where are the promised 'swine flu' vaccines?
ajfyzabadbutlertown
I agree with Imbert. It's
I agree with Imbert. It's good value for money if you compare it with the $2 million national pride flag.
And of course the previous release from the PM's Office stating it was a concert hall was a fake. We'll have to replace Paige de Leon for that huniliating gaffe. It's a conspiracy. They must be in cahoots with my former pal Rowley.
Can't you see the protruding roof is the seating area for the 1,000 or 2,000 expected spectators in the outdoor amphitheatre? The outdoor stage will be the lawn in front the apphitheatre but if the budget permits we'll add a decking as a stage. You see we are doing our own bit to help save the planet. We turning green. Soon we'll have everybody turning green with envy.
And we will soon have our own zoo. And I'm not talking about the Cabinet. We'll have animals like lions and introduce gladiatorial sports. We round up our detractors and political dissidents and give them the opportunity to prove their prowess against the lions. And I talking about real lions, not the kind that you feel sorry for.
With the benchmark being set
With the benchmark being set for a $2m flag, everything now will be good value for money.
Gary Hunt has set the pace and all other Government Ministers will follow.
Ahhh... The blind leading the blind... While they spend out our tax dollars...
http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
(no offence to the blind community)
Nobody should complain, we
Nobody should complain, we were warned by Manning in 2001 and I quote "Be careful who you put in charge of the treasury". For God's sake we were warned. We can't complain now. We have another few years before election. Either vote right together or vote wrong divided.
PNM_TILL_I_DIE
It will never
It will never stop........
Yuh done know this kind of gross mismanagement of the tax payers money will never stop . It will just get worst. time to hit the streets with some ideas of our own.
I agree with a straight jacket for the whole lot of them.
A quick one .Some blogers does get up real early boy.
jp
"A nation of sheep will
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves" (Edward R Murrow)
more like the dumb
more like the dumb misleading the blind!
It must be value for money
It must be value for money if its taxpayers money Mr Imbert. In fact, I am convinced that the entire cabinet feels that we are all a bunch of fools who they can snicker at while giving us lame excuses for squandering our money.
But Gary Hunt says everybody
But Gary Hunt says everybody on facebook showering him with praise for his $2 million monument to national pride, so he can't understand what all the fuss is about. And when he went on his walkabout in his constituency, it was the same story. So it's looks like these blogger and those writing letters to the editors must be an insignificant minority of unpatriotic citizens with no sense or no sense of national pride.
Is there any hope at all for for this lot? I wonder what Manning gives them to eat and drink and smoke at his Cabinet meetings. Can the people really continue to endure this bollocks for another whole three years?
Why don't a patriotic MP lobby the others and get a majority who will put country before self, choose a leader, get a majority and go to the President and inform him that they can't recognise this Man as their leader any more and let him know their choice of leader, even if it means a government of national unity. Put aside selfishness and liberate yourselves from this nutcake or endure another three years of more of the same or worse.
...alas Prince!...those who
...alas Prince!...those who would have taken your advice have either been purged from the party, fired. marginalized, or sent abroad...the remainder around Patos are either complete born again morons, schemers, liars or simple-minded, sycophantic adorers....with his personal fixer on board as AG and the political castration of Bas, Patos is seemingly untouchable.....qu'ils mangent du gâteau!!...
But we badly need some kind
But we badly need some kind of deus ex machina to rescue us from this plot and alter the denouement of this pseudo- Greek tragedy unfolding in real life before our very eyes..
Groucho Marx: "Who ya gonna
Groucho Marx: "Who ya gonna believe? Me...or your LYING EYES?" .......These people reaaaally brazen. I could just picture Imbert with a big cigar and a sh*t-eating grin ala Groucho...plotting behind the scenes and laughing privately at what the public is willing to lap up. I mean....WE HAVE PICTURES THAT SHOW YOU'RE A LIAR IMBERT.....if you had ANY decency at all you would resign as the utter disgrace that you are.
Does it really make a
Does it really make a difference what we call it?
It's surrounded by Queen's Hall, Academy for Performing Arts, and the Carnival center, not to mention the entire Savannah.
It would be so much better
It would be so much better if these ministers just shut the hell up instead of trying to feed us a load of crap.
Mr Imbert if the picture in
Mr Imbert if the picture in the Guardian yesterday and today represents a stage, then have a look at the picture here: -
http://www.innovation-productions.com/acatalog/rockcastle.jpg
It seems to be a chenette tree!
Like mushrooms, they feeding
Like mushrooms, they feeding us horse**** and keeping us in the dark. But where will they put the outdoor stage?
Rik Hansel
Carl This is government
Carl
This is government accountability at its extreme worst !! Does the PM expect to spend $10M of taxpayers belt-tightened money to erect a structure and not provide the public with a proper explanation or justification. Because, according to Mr Imbert, it is value for money does not mean there is a valid business need for this structure. What or where is the return on this investment ? It might very well be 'national pride' but who am I to question this government.
Disgraceful ........and
Disgraceful ........and could care less what the citzens think. 'We' will do whatever we want and who dont like it ...'jump ship'. We will spend, spend, spend and live it up. 'Outdoor stage', what for? At that cost to the 'flag' deal and how much would that have helped with the CRIME and HEALTHCARE? People wake up...do something.
Yes its an outdoor stage and
Yes its an outdoor stage and the Prime Minister and his ministers are the actors. Once it is complete the citizens stand outside an peer through the doors and windows and enjoy live comedy.
That's truly putting it in
That's truly putting it in perpsective Pat.
Dear Mr. Imbert, Webster's
Dear Mr. Imbert,
Webster's New College Dictionary describes the word "Stage" - as (a) a raised and level floor or platform.
(b) A raised platform on which theatrical performances are presented.
(c) An area in which Actors perform (AKA A Performing Arts Center).
Which one of these accurately describes the three story building? Probably Webster is wrong and you my dear Imbecile are right.
This looks like a building for Manning, his Cabinet and his Friends to "Wine and Jam". Dat is we culture. And don't forget the Flag, surrounded by some mangy dogs, vagrants and a flower garden with stones painted by CEPEP and a broken down, unfinished drain full with silt and garbage that was a URP project. Dat is Culture and National Pride!!! And doh forget Manning's Divine Echoes, being supported by Taxpayers money. What percentage of the population benefits from Divine Echoes?
Zide you have to ask, of
Zide you have to ask, of course Webster is wrong....if Manning or anyone of his misfits didn't say, then it wrong.
Where do I get a party
Where do I get a party card?! I’d like to get my road.....I mean track fixed!
Also, I must have been dreaming. I could have sworn I heard something on the news bulletins yesterday about the government boasting that they were happy with what they have done thus far being in office. The dream continues to the 7oclock news broadcast where they asked citizens on the streets what they thought about government’s comments……..to my surprise, people said they were pleased?! Am I living in the same country as these people?! Crime is out of control, police officers are only seen out and about when there are summits, a two million dollar flag takes priority over healthcare, and buildings are being erected where more than 80% of the citizens would never have the opportunity to step inside (if you’re lucky, you could probably have someone take a picture and email it to you). When is my alarm going to go off? I need wakeup out of this nightmare!!!!
P.S. Could I stop paying taxes?!
Manning must have bused in
Manning must have bused in some CPEP and URP "workers" on PSTC to be interviewed. They must have earned a cool bonus and a free meal into the bargain for their performance. They sure do like it so.
I think the Minister is more
I think the Minister is more adept at being creative than the media. A two storey roofed building is an outdoor stage? Give us a break, Mr. imbert. You have gotten so used to talking nonsense that you no longer know what the truth is.
An outdoor stage is an
An outdoor stage is an open-air venue you idiot. It is not enclosed. I guess this is all part of Vision 2020 where the elite and the privileged have access to the best TnT can offer while the stupid taxpayers foot the bill. And Panday had the nerve to meet with Manning to discuss an Excutive Presidency. I could see them now; shaking a pair of dice in their hands, blowing into their hands, and throwing the dice against a wall to see who might be the first executive president. Guess what. They both came up craps if you know what I mean. My country needs a Cuban-style revolution so we can hang these suckers publicly in Woodford Square. Eric Williams must be crying in his grave.
Well Zide, you are so right.
Well Zide, you are so right. and all bloggers, Facebook or no Fscebook at least on the Guardian you see the xsection of the blogs, Maybe Imby boy needs to put the stats out fm Facebook what say ye bloggers?, Imbert put out the ayes snd nays fm Facebook. soon we may have a poll by UWI on this.The Govt is riding ramshod on the people of TT and the citizens will remember this. I wish oh Lordie, I wish the opposition can get together and throw these guys out into the Gulf of Paria, let them sink. and we will take over what PNM built and open it up to the public. like someone said a "Museum for Corals saved fm Disappearing", isnt this much better than an opera center behind gates when we have a Queen's Hall??. come on TT citizens lets march and get these guys out before their time. its our democratic right, oh dear why cant we get together man woman children and march irrespective of colour or creed? they just wasting money like it was water oops sorry not water maybe air then?
No problem with that except
No problem with that except (1) we need to recover the billions first and (2) this pollution could produce the largest and deadliest fish-kill in the history of the Gulf. Think about the poor marine life and the fragile eco-system. Maybe re-cycle them as feedstock for the aluminium smelter?
Where is the Public
Where is the Public Advocate?Who is looking out for the interest of we the people,against this bleeding of the treasury by this band of "Bandits" we call a government.You're building a $10M outdoor stage,when great portion of your citizens still uses outdoor toilets(Latrines),drinking water from drains,burning candles for light,lack of proper infastructure,when you have already spent over $150M on your palace.Have you no shame?Quoteing the bible when it pleases you,who are you fooling?
Yes,build the stage so that those same people who you neglected can entertain you,"MASSA".You are accountable to no one,you do as you please,it's your money,after all the majority voted you into power.Stained their finger red,now the blood of our youths stains the streets.Yes Mr. PM,yes PNM you run this town,run it to the ground,Vision 2020 or a "Dictator" by 2020?
Again I ask where is the Public Advocate?People rise up,take back your country.