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The Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities has blamed the "political climate" for the recent leaking of invoices for projects within the division.
In a statement on its Facebook page on Friday, the division said it is no coincidence that the leaking of the invoices is happening ahead of the THA elections, to be held not later than February 2021.
The division, headed by Clarence Jacob, apologised to its vendors and public officers "for any unwarranted attention."
[caption id="attachment_861600" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Secretary of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities Clarence Jacob. PHOTO COURTESY THA -[/caption]
It said all its projects were projected for fiscal 2019-2020 and tendering processes were adhered to, noting "projects are being undertaken within projected budget and on time."
The division said the construction of six bus shelters around the island was a priority project in this fiscal year "as public transportation remains an essential service to the population, especially for the elderly, school-aged children, and persons who rely heavily on low-cost public transportation."
The division said, the project involved the demolition and/or sanitising and recycling of some bus shelters, as well as branding, designing, construction and installation works.
The division said it's public utilities arm and the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) have noted the dilapidated state of several bus shelters across the island. It said covid19 health protocols have made it necessary to sanitise and upgrade places where large numbers of people congregate.
The division promised to reveal the final costs of the bus sheds when they have been completed and commissioned.
One of the invoices leaked, dated September 28, showed the division invoiced around $208,000, VAT inclusive, for the installation of the six bus sheds. The invoice showed five bus sheds cost $139, 962.50 and another "super shed design" cost $45,000.
Another invoice dated September 28 showed the division charged $98,400 “to cover the cost for remedial work to Milford Plaza fencing.”
Another invoice for an arch in Canaan, near Friendship for "mobilisation and preparatory work” for $575,332.75 was leaked. This bill was made out on September 18 to the division and included VAT of 12.5 per cent, taking the total amount charged for the fence to $674,249.35.
From that same company another invoice was made out to the division on the same day for $388,394.60, for “mobilisation and preparatory work.”
The post THA division: Bus sheds are ‘priority projects’ appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.