Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon, has confirmed that the State did not bear the expense of the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) two-day parliamentary retreat in Tobago.
Most of the caucus members stayed at the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort where the room rates are between US$178 and $593 per night, according to the hotel’s website.
For their meetings, a private villa was used at Tobago Plantations, which could cost TT$2,718 per night. Some members of the public expressed concern during the retreat, questioning if taxpayers were footing the bill for a PNM affair.
On Monday, Guardian Media sought to ask Finance Minister Colm Imbert that question, but he walked away and suggested we ask someone else.
On Tuesday, while checking out of the Magdalena Hotel, Minister Gopee-Scoon offered an answer.
She told Guardian Media that each attendee paid their own way and not a cent was spent by the State.
Gopee-Scoon said everything they ate and drank was paid for out of their own pockets.
Guardian Media did notice PNM members checking themselves out at the hotel’s lobby.
She even pointed to a vehicle outside the lobby and said attendees asked family members for a ride to the airport.
The State would have, however, had to provide Special Branch and police escorts for the Prime Minister and they also would have guarded the villa while conducting regular perimeter patrols for the duration of the retreat.
