Why the secrecy surrounding the Brian Lara Cricket Academy? Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles is demanding answers after the Prime Minister's refusal to consult stakeholders before banning FETS events at the venue. Is there more to the story than meets the eye?
Beckles highlights the standard contractual obligations for venue users, ensuring facilities are restored after events. She questions why the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is being singled out when other state-managed venues face similar issues. Could there be ulterior motives at play?
The Opposition Leader also points out the Minister of Culture previously had discussions with event promoters without raising any concerns. Beckles suggests the controversy could be a smokescreen to distract from other pressing matters. What is the government trying to hide?
00:00Opposition leader Penelope Beckles is questioning why the Prime Minister was so unwilling to meet with stakeholders
00:07before deciding to stop the use of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy for FETS.
00:12Why no consultation? Because these are facilities that are owned by the state, basically owned by the public.
00:21And if you, yes, you feel strongly about it, why would the Honorable Prime Minister say that she will not have a meeting?
00:30With the promoters, when the question was asked, I just want to be clear, I just want to make sure that I repeat exactly, there will be no meeting.
00:44She says the public has been given the impression that the Academy was left in disarray or damaged after events, which she insists is not supported by the facts.
00:54For anyone who utilizes Brian Lara Stadium, the contract document is very specific as it relates to restoring the facility to basically how it was met when you initially got the facility.
01:13Not only that, so there is a fee that you would have to pay.
01:18And if you do not meet those requirements, then they withhold that fee.
01:24So my point is, why Brian Lara?
01:26Beckles adds that the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago has since confirmed the FETS ban applies to other state-managed venues as well.
01:35So we have to assume that the Hyatt, Invaders Bay, any other facility that is managed by Uricot will no longer have any FETS.
01:52Now, you may or may not recall that earlier this year, the Honourable Minister of Culture, Michelle Benjamin, had a meeting with the promoters in terms of the way forward.
02:07No such issue was raised.
02:09She further argues that while noise pollution is a valid concern, it is not unique to the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
02:17But it may very well be that there may be plans for the Brian Lara Stadium.
02:24And we will wait very patiently as to whether or not there is somebody that has an interest in the Brian Lara Stadium.
02:34And we will wait very much in short order to see whether that is in fact the case.
02:41Beckles suggests the controversy may simply be a distraction from more pressing issues.
02:48Sunday, and I don't have my express, LiveSport was on the front page.
02:56Mr. Roberts has had a lot of commentaries, but he has not responded to anything that has been said as it relates to LiveSport.
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