00:00May months after renowned sport administrator Eddie Hart dies, a sudden decision has been
00:07taken to halt reconstruction works at the Eddie Hart ground.
00:11This has sparked grave concern and outrage from officials within the Tunapuno-Piaco Regional
00:17Corporation.
00:19In a strongly worded statement, the chairman Josiah Austin is questioning how a project
00:24awarded in November 2024 and reportedly backed by approved funding could be stopped due to
00:30what is now being described as a lack of funds.
00:34Speaking with TV6 via phone, Austin explains he found out about the development by calls
00:40from Burgesses.
00:42I would have been notified just like everyone else and it's very unfortunate that as the
00:48chairman of this corporation that we would have been notified by persons calling just
00:55to have us know that the galvanized and the hoarding is being taken down.
01:00It's very unfortunate that this milestone and legacy project cannot continue and is now terminated.
01:10He notes the project was awarded by Uticot and initiated under the People's National Movement
01:16Administration and was actively progressing prior to the April 28th, 2025 general election.
01:24We asked for full and public accounting of the funds that were allocated for this project
01:30and also a clear plan and definitive timeline of the immediate resumption of works because we only
01:37accept and expect that this project be continued in some form or the other and we take the politics
01:44away from it.
01:45Corporation officials argue that public contracts are not issued without secured financing raising
01:51concerns about the status of the original allocation. Austin says the people of Tunapunapiyako are
01:58entitled to a clear and honest explanation. The project originally contained a 15-month timeline,
02:06but he says little has been done since the UNC government took up office. And despite an announcement
02:12by Finance Minister Davindranov-Tanku during the 2025 budget presentation that the project is no more,
02:20Austin contends that the cooperation had still been in constant communication with the office of the
02:26Prime Minister under whose purview the project fell. The Eddie Hart ground Austin described as a symbol of
02:33pride, achievement and excellence. It is a long-standing sporting facility serving East Trinidad
02:40and viewed as a key community asset. The chairman calls the delay contentious and calls the suspension
02:47of works not only disappointing but deeply disrespectful to Burgesses. He further warned that this latest move
02:56sends the wrong message, particularly in the run-up to the local government election. He ended the statement
03:02saying, quote, the people of Tunapunapiyako will not accept silence nor will they accept excuses.
03:09Restore the project, account for the funds, respect the people, end quote. Minister in the office of
03:16the Prime Minister Bari Padaroth, when contacted, said he was not immediately familiar with the project
03:22but agreed to look into our queries.
03:25Arvishita Wari Rupnarain, TV6 News
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