00:00In terms of representatives, opposition leader Penelope Beckles sought answers from the new line minister of the state-owned ETEC,
00:07which is responsible for the lease operatorship of the Hilton, Trinidad and Conference Centre.
00:13Mr. Speaker, to the Minister of Land and Legal Affairs,
00:18what is the government's immediate plan to address the potential withdrawal of the Hilton International from Trinidad and Tobago?
00:26Three days earlier on March 24th, the government announced it had officially transitioned ETEC,
00:33Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited,
00:37from the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism to the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs, which is led by
00:43MP Saddam Hussein.
00:45Mr. Speaker, in response to the opposition leader,
00:48I wish to inform this Honourable House that the talks and conversations are actively ongoing with the Hilton and the
00:59government of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:00I would not want to give any further details of those talks in order to cause it to prejudice any
01:08future outcome of this particular matter.
01:10There have been media reports that Hilton was considering removing its brand from the state-owned property over much-needed
01:17maintenance
01:18that has not been carried out by the government.
01:21ETEC says on its website that it is responsible for executing all capital works at the 412-room hotel under
01:29its hotel renovation project.
01:31The opposition said during a media conference this week that the UNC-led government dropped the ball
01:36on an agreement arrived at between the Hilton and the former PNM-led government
01:41for $400 million worth of renovations to be done at the hotel.
01:46Opposition MP Karim Marcel posed a supplemental question to the Land and Legal Affairs Minister.
01:52Mr. Speaker, through you, can the Honourable Minister indicate whether there is an existing contract with Hilton
02:00and the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, please?
02:02That question was not allowed by House Speaker Jack Dale Singh, and he explained why.
02:08I don't think it bears a rational connection to the primary question. Let me put it that way, right?
02:14All right, quiet the furor. The rule is the supplemental question must bear a rational connection to the primary question.
02:24The existence of a contract bears no rational connection to the primary question. I rule that.
02:30The opposition leader posed her supplemental question.
02:33Honourable Minister, could you tell us when did those talks start with Hilton?
02:39Permissible question. Minister?
02:43Thank you very much.
02:45Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that the member for River would ask that question
02:50because the talks with Hilton started under their administration in 2023, Mr. Speaker.
02:56And it will take this administration to settle all of those matters.
03:00On its website, ETEC said, the fiscal oversight of the hotel's operations
03:04and the refurbishment works to the 412-room hotel continues to maintain and sustain
03:11the economic viability of the four-star hotel as a modern, commercially viable space.
03:18Jules Brown, TV6 News.
03:20Jules Brown, TV6 News.
03:20Jules Brown, TV6 News.
03:21Jules Brown, TV6 News.
03:22Jules Brown, TV6 News.
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