Formal Handover of the Besson Steet Police Station

Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
My Colleagues –
The Honourable Retired Major General Edmund Dillon,
Minister of National Security Ms. Marlene McDonald,
Member of Parliament for Port of Spain South
Other Cabinet Colleagues and Members of Government
Ms. Lydia Jacobs, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security;
Ms. Simone Thorne-Mora, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and other Permanent Secretaries
His Worship Alderman Joel Martinez, Mayor of the City of Port of Spain
Mr. Stephen Williams, Acting Commissioner of Police
Mr. Noel Garcia, Chairman of UDeCOTT and other members of the Board
Ms. Margaret Chow, Chief Executive Officer, UDeCOTT
Heads of the Divisions of the TTPS
All other Specially Invited Guests
Members of the Media

A pleasant good morning to you all.

As Minister with responsibility for Government’s urban development portfolio, I am happy to deliver Closing Remarks at the official handover of this UDeCOTT project.

The importance of developing our urban centres in the context of economic and sustainable development is a major priority of this Ministry and your Government.

Over the past year, the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago, has successfully completed the outfitting and handing over of the Immigration Division Building and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Tower located in the Government Campus Plaza and the Ministry of the Education buildings, a stone’s throw away on St. Vincent Street.

As a result, public officers are now able to operate and conduct the business of Government, in comfortable, modern, and safe surroundings …delivering enhanced services to the citizens of our country.

UDeCOTT’s work didn’t stop there. Work is on-going on the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a number of community centres, the Diego Martin Sporting Complex and renovation of the Hyatt Hotel and other Government buildings such as the Red House and the Board of Inland Revenue Tower.

Work on the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) was completed a few months ago and the Academy was officially handed over and re-opened by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.

Just last month, we handed over the brand new, modern St. Joseph Police Station.

As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, UDeCOTT is integral to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and crucial to our country’s development.

Today, we formally handover the Besson Street Police Station. This stellar facility we have delivered is second to none and we hope that it will serve to stimulate greater cooperation between our officers and the public which they have vowed to protect and serve.

This is another UDeCOTT project which has been “signed, sealed and delivered”. I therefore congratulate the Board, Management and staff for their good work and urge them to maintain this momentum and energy as we move into 2017 and work toward the overall development of Trinidad and Tobago.

I also wish to thank Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister; the Minister of National Security and all other colleagues who are present with us and played a part in these proceedings.

On behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, I extend warmest Christmas greetings to you and your families and wish you a bright and prosperous new year.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you.