After tomorrow, it will only be up until January 6, but the Port-of-Spain City Corporation’s 35 foot Christmas tree, which cost $140,000, will return in December 2020.
However, Mayor Joel Martinez assures that the Corporation won’t have to pay the $140,000 cost again since the tree’s current frame is reusable.
The mayor confirmed the cost of the tree yesterday after UNC activist Devant Maharaj took issue with the cost for the huge Christmas tree which was put up at the Cipriani Roundabout, on Independence Square.
Maharaj claimed the Corporation launched the tree on December 19 at a time when it owed various contractors and condemned the expenditure as “public waste.”
But Martinez defended the tree’s cost at several levels, explaining that the cost of the frame plus VAT was $110,000 and the $30,000 was for the decorations
“The capital cost was for the frame. We actually got some leeway, a discount of sorts on this since costs for this kind of tree could have been as much as $250,000. One quote was $200,000 for the frame alone and another quote was for $130,00,” he said.
The frame was done by Metal X, who Martinez said, “came in at the lowest, most reasonable cost.”
He added: “It’s an investment for the city, not only in terms of spreading Christmas light and joy but also since this frame and decor can be used over the next few years again. We only have to pay to erect it and take it down after, so future costs will be less than $140,000.”
“We weren’t able to finish the entire tree with decorations this year as we didn’t have enough funding but we’re getting donations from the business community and we’ve written letters to all of the downtown and Promenade community to see how they can contribute and add decorations annually. We’ve gotten some responses and we’ve told them we’ll have the tree again and hope for more decorations and lights.”
Martinez was particularly strong in his defence of the project as a Christmas spirit booster.
“We have confirmation from a lot of feedback that it brightened up this particular city space. Even if we owe money, the Corporation must also do things to benefit the city. Because we’re in an economic downturn, doesn’t mean we can’t light up the country and give the public something to help them feel festive which they can simply sit and enjoy,” he said.
“Every major city has an element of Christmas decorations. Rockefeller Plaza’s giant tree is a globally known Christmas landmark for New York and it’s erected every year as a US tradition. If Trinidad and Tobago is to become a major player, we have to emulate some cities better known for getting things done.”
Martinez said after January 6 the tree will be dismantled and stored for next year’s Christmas.
