UPDATE ON PREMISES FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The Minister of Public Administration and Communications, the Honourable Maxie Cuffie would like to notify the public of the status of the compound formerly occupied by the Ministry of Education on Alexandra St., St.Clair.

Around the time, when the Ministry of Education vacated this compound there was a change in the provision of security services to the Office of the Prime Minister across the road, with the Guard and Emergency Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service being mandated to provide the security for the Office of the Prime Minister. Accordingly, one of the buildings on the compound was temporarily provided to the Guard and Emergency Branch whilst another appropriate building is being located to house these officers and the necessary support services. This arrangement is a temporary one.

The Minister of Public Administration and Communications has noted the various claims to the property located at Alexandra St, St. Clair. That property has not yet been handed over to the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications and the Ministry of Education is still in the process of evacuating the various buildings on the compound.The settled policy for the allocation of the State’s limited property resources is that a request is made by the line Ministry to the Property and Real Estate Services Division (PRESD), through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications. After considering the request, PRESD makes a recommendation to the Minister which, if he supports, it is taken before Cabinet for approval.

The Minister of Public Administration and Communications conferred with the Minister of Education, the Honourable Anthony Garcia and they will be meeting with the officials of Queen’s Royal College (QRC) early in the New Year regarding their interest in the property.