Don’t rule out foreign investment for port

GOVERNMENT has not ruled out possible foreign investors operating the Port of Port of Spain following the announcement of its liberalisation in Monday’s budget.

This from Prime Minister Dr Rowley on Tuesday who said, “You talk to anybody in TT who use the port, and the conversation more than likely will tell you about problems. What privatisation will do is to bring private sector resources and management in to the operation of the port so that TT, a nation that has lost ground to Jamaica and other places in the region, that by operating the port differently, we’ll try to regain that ground so that this important aspect of our economy will grow in importance.”

On concerns port operations should not go to a foreign entity, Rowley said it was not a philosophical position but one of what works best for the people.

“We have had the port for many, many decades and at this point in time the option that is best for us is to get it into a situation where the port could be a recognised port by those who use the world’s transportation system. And they will come there and get a world class service. A service which is not now available.”

He said that one can become too parochial in one’s perspective. “And that parochialism causes you to go from bad to worse. And sometimes you need to be jolted out of that situation and join what the international community is enjoying.”

Asked if privatisation was an admission that Government cannot manage the port, Rowley said Government always looks at the best options. “The investment that they will make to upgrade the port and so on they would focus on the port not just being the port in Port of Spain for parochial business and see it in the context of international transportation and that is the difference.” Asked if port workers would be sent home Rowley replied: “You can’t just tell a big man to go home. He will decide when he goes home.”

He stressed that the country must not be afraid of change. “If you come into my office you will see I have a sign on my wall over my head to remind me...’ there’s no success without change.’ Change brings conflict. And you have to manage that conflict if you want success.”

Asked if Government was looking at other state entities to privatise, he said, “I am not discussing that now. Government is looking at ensuring that TT functions to its best ability for the benefit of TT.”