Persad-Bissessar: Imbert took Tobago airport reports to Cabinet

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has challenged statements by Finance Minister Colm Imbert about the ANR Robinson International Airport expansion project in Crown Point, Tobago, calling them fabrications.

She said the reports she circulated were prepared by international consultants Mott McDonald and Gleeds Ltd and were part of a Cabinet note that Imbert took to Cabinet on November 28.

She said it was "amazing" that Imbert said he did not know about the reports when he brought them to Cabinet.

Imbert declined to comment on the authenticity of the reports during a post-Cabinet media briefing on December 5. He said there has been a cost overrun of US$2.5 million and the project is running behind schedule, but construction is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025.

In a series of WhatsApp messages on December 5, Persad-Bissessar said,

“Today, Minister Imbert Imbert, in a train wreck press conference, failed to present a shred of documentation to disprove that there are massive cost overruns on the Tobago airport terminal project.

"It is a fact that on November 28, 2024, Cabinet approved Cabinet minute 2199 to approve the increase of expenditure on the project.

"The note contained five appendices: the Mott Macdonald report; the Gleeds schedule report; the Gleeds budget report dated November 23, 2024; the Nidco claims assessment report; and a legal report.

“I heard Imbert telling reporters that the matters re the Tobago Airport that are in the public domain have not yet been decided upon.

"If so, he told a major lie because the (Cabinet) note is completely approved. Where he is saying he doesn’t know is also a major lie. The note brought under the MoF is actually approved.”

She said page 12 of the Gleeds budget report showed the project needs a further minimum of $348,140,666.04 to reach the end of March, of which $175,370,417.71 is for overruns in variations and claims. She said the claims had not been settled fully and the estimated highest cost overrun would be US$67.9 million, or $461,792,690.

“The Chinese and Nidco are in disagreement with the claims and CRCCCL (China Railway Construction Caribbean Ltd) want their full payment with overruns, which can carry the total to US$195 million plus $300 million for land acquisition.”

Persad-Bissessar said Appendix IV of the Nidco claims assessment document had documentary evidence showing flaws in design and failure to meet specifications and building codes.

“How can Minister Imbert not know about these documents showing massive cost overruns and construction failures when he himself brought them to cabinet in Note 2199 only last week?"