Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the new 120-room Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Centre in San Fernando signals a shift from promises to delivery.
At today’s ceremony in South Park, the Prime Minister said projects must move beyond announcement, noting that several projects saw the sod turned but never materialized.
The Prime Minister said the $220-million project will not come from the tax-payer’s pockets.
She insisted that Government should not be in the business of running hotels, but must instead partner with the private sector to drive development.
Mrs Persad-Bissessar said the project also promises to address the issue of employment.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the hotel’s location will support wide economic activity, describing it not just as a hotel, but a key economic asset for South Trinidad.
Meanwhile, developer John Aboud of Superior Hotels says today’s sod-turning ceremony marks a major step in the Prime Minister’s revitalisation programme.
He said the entire consulting team is locally-based, which aims to help save foreign exchange and maximise local expertise.
He added that construction is carded to begin within 60 days, with completion expected in less than two years.
