Sabgas 'excited' by Kamla's plan

ANSA Mc Al executive chairman A Norman Sabga said he was “excited,” to hear government’s Revitalisation Blueprint which includes more than 100 construction projects that would provide over 50,000 jobs. “I have to tell you, I was very excited,” he said. “It's huge. Their plans are huge!

“It is exciting where they want to take this country. You need to dream big to get there and this is what's lacking in Trinidad and Tobago. We need to dream big, manage the details and move the country forward.”

Sabga was speaking at the official launch of the Ansa McAl financial results for the year ending September 30 – a day after he, his son Anthony N Sabga III were among a host of leaders in the private sector who took in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's unveiling of her government's revitalisation master plan for the country at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's.

Sabga III described government’s plans as "ambitious" and “colourful.”

“I would say this: I think our current government used an opportunity yesterday to invite a wide cross-section of both public and private participants in the TT economy, and they put forward what is a very ambitious, certainly very colourful vision for the country.

“As active participants in the TT economy for what will be our 145th year next year, anything that moves this country and society, along for ourselves and our people, is something that we at the Ansa McAl group are very much in support of and very much aligned with,” Sabga III said.

“We ourselves will look to see how as an organisation, we can support the government of the day in realising the vision and ambition for the country.”

The TT Revitalisation Blueprint includes 129 construction projects to revamp and upgrade key areas across TT, including the Port of Spain and San Fernando waterfronts, Invaders Bay and Queen’s Park Savannah.

In a presentation done by Works Minister Jearlean John, government also put forward plans to demolish prisons in Golden Grove, Port of Spain and Carrera Island, rehouse all prisoners in a “justice centre” in Tamana, linked to a sprawling national security complex in Mt Hope.

The PoS gaol will be converted into an arts and cultural centre. The prison at Golden Grove in Arouca will be converted into a State-funded housing community, and Carrera Island will be converted into a luxury resort.

Sabga III: We felt in a yellow mood

Responding to questions on the relationship between the group and the UNC government, Sabga III said that as a 145-year-old organisation, Ansa McAl remains fully apolitical and is focused on being good citizens, doing the right things and creating a sustainable business.

The Sabgas’ presence was noticeable, particularly because both father and son sported bright yellow ties – the colour of the ruling United National Congress (UNC). Sabga III insisted the co-ordinated tie colour with his father was coincidental.

“The reality is that my father and I do not live in the same house, and whilst we both were wearing yellow ties, there was no planning or combination, we just felt in a very yellow mood that morning...nothing to do with anything. It just happened to be coincidental.”

“I've said clearly before, the Ansa McAl group is, regardless of what colour tie I or anyone might be wearing, or what colour my hair might be, an apolitical organisation.

“As a leadership team, we are able to as such remain committed fixated on development of economies, and this economy, other economies within which we seek to thrive and create possibility for their stakeholders.

“(We pay) well beyond one per cent in taxes and otherwise contribute well above one per cent to not just the GDP of TT but to the region,” he said.