Khan: $17.5m to rebuild PM's Tobago residence

ENERGY Minister Franklin Khan revealed in Parliament Tuesday that total cost associated with the demolition and rebuilding of the Prime Minister's Residence in Tobago was $17.5 million. He was responding to a question in Senate on the reasons for the increase in the cost of repairs on the project. Khan, however, said the question was based on a false premise.

"The official residence of the Prime Minister in Tobago was not repaired, but the old building on the site was not maintained in particular over 2010-2015 period."

He said the building was in such a state of disrepair that it had to be demolished and rebuilt, and therefore the question of an "increase in cost of repairs" did not arise.

Khan explained the scope of works related to the project involved the demolition of the structure, design and build of the Prime Minister’s Residence, addition of a visitors' car park, restoration and upgrade of the access road with improved drainage, and the demolition of the existing security building on approach to the residence.

Opposition Senator Wade Mark asked what was the period of time it took to complete the project but Senate President Christine Kangaloo said the question did not arise.