The new government has a slew of both infrastructure and road projects to be completed under its guidance. Some of the projects were started under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s previous term (2010-2015), while others began under former prime minister Dr Rowley (2015-2025).
The government said it intends to fulfil its campaign promises to deliver the projects even though cash flow is restrticted.
Here are some of them:
Couva Hospital
The UNC-led People’s Partnership coalition government, in 2015, opened the $1.6 billion Couva Children’s Hospital. However, being voted out that same year, the building was not commissioned.
In 2018, then prime minister Dr Rowley had said it would become a teaching hospital run by UWI.
It was also renamed the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility.
In 2020, during the height of the covid19 pandemic, to treat acute cases and subsequently as a step-down facility.
Now, in 2025, Persad-Bissessar has said her government will see the hospital return to its original name and desired use.
On May 13, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe and Minister in the Health Ministry Dr Rishad Seecharan toured the facility.
In a press release, the ministry said the two were accompanied by ministry officials and representatives from Udecott (Urban Development Corporation of TT).
“The site visit facilitated a gap analysis, facility assessment and a review and verification of assets to determine the hospital’s readiness for utilisation.”
Bodoe, via WhatsApp, told Newsday they looked at “exactly what services were currently being provided at the facility and (documented) the assets.
“However, it does appear that the facility is currently grossly underutilised being used as a step-down facility with only 20 inpatients. Of additional concern is the fact that both the CT scanner and MRI machines are not functioning.
“There was also laboratory and other equipment present, which appears to have never been used.”
He said a full report from the Health Ministry is expected to be delivered soon.
“This will inform the pathway required to bring to full operation the Couva Hospital for the benefit of more citizens.”
UWI Penal/Debe campus
Another project delivered by the UNC-led People’s Partnership coalition government that was not used for its intended purpose, but as a quarantine facility during the covid19 pandemic.
[caption id="attachment_1155768" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The signage near the UWI south campus with several letters missing. - Photo by Innis Francis[/caption]
UWI’s website says the budget for the campus was $499 million and was set to be completed by 2014. Construction began in August 2012.
When Newsday visited recently, one of the signs on the outside had missing letters, which now makes it read: University of the West Indies, St Augtine (sic), outh (sic) Campus, Penal-Debe.
Looking on from the outside, some of the buildings had mild discolouration but seemed otherwise fine.
UWI’s website says it includes a hall of residence for 100 stude
