Trinidad and Tobago’s Construction’s fragile state causes worry

Published: 24 Aug 2010

Author:

The President, Arch. Mark Raymond
Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects

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Architects are deeply concerned about the current fragile state of the construction sector.

At the commencement of the recent boom, the last administration initiated projects and engaged the construction sector only to peremptorily drop it in favour of foreign consultants and contractors. Through a mystifying array of agencies and practices, massive and often poorly conceived projects were awarded to these foreign contractors and consultants as part of a reckless and largely uncoordinated strategy conceived without any consultation or coherent plan. The fiasco that followed and the opposition with which these initiatives were met culminated with the tin-pot “war” that former Prime Minster Patrick Manning declared on the construction sector in March of this year. It is hard to conceive of a more wasteful or destructive mode of physical development and planning.

The period will go down in history as one characterised by a flagrant and arrogant abuse by the State of its powers, monumental squandering of the public purse and the unprecedented deliberate and malicious marginalisation of an essential national resource in the form of the construction sector. We are now experiencing the legacy of this “policy”—if the reckless expenditure of billions of dollars on such grandiose projects can be termed a policy. It is a legacy which has left architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers decimated. The impact of this contempt for and deliberate undermining of the sector has been compounded by the deterioration of the economy and this together with widespread global economic uncertainty has resulted in a dramatic slow down with particularly devastating consequences.

Whilst this is a sector in which seasoned stakeholders plan and allow for the peaks and troughs that inevitably characterise the economics of physical development, the current predicament is perilous as the numerous businesses, professionals and workers employed in the sector—and many of whom are owed significant and long outstanding sums by the State—struggle daily to keep afloat. The livelihoods of around seventy thousand people employed in a previously vibrant and dynamic sector are under serious and imminent threat. This is not a short term issue. The construction sector is a significant asset that we cannot afford to neglect because of past blunders or economic expediency. The sector is looking to the Government to enter into dialogue, take decisive action and to address the dire predicament as a matter of urgency.

It is widely recognised that the current administration has a great deal of clearing up to do, State owned agencies and special purpose entities have generated large and conspicuous holes in the economy. It is also understood that large scale construction projects are unlikely to be on the agenda in the immediate future. However, if growth cannot be immediately assured, in its attempt to get the economy back on track, the Government must move to at least stimulate activity—if only to ensure short to medium term sustainability and avoid the complete collapse and depletion of a valuable national resource and asset. The Government needs to demonstrate good governance, generate confidence, encourage investment and work with construction sector organisations to address means of ensuring the sustainability of the sector. This needs to be done as a matter of urgency.

There are a number of ways in which the government might consider advancing this:

• Active consultation with all construction sector stakeholders.
• Prompt implementation of best practice procurement policy.
• Economic stimulus plan to generate activity in construction sector.
• Settle the substantial debts owed to architects, consultant teams and contractors, who have invested heavily in the process of development and who have been left out to dry.

Mikey Joseph—president of the Contractor’s Association recently revealed the amount of money owed to the construction sector by Government as being in the region of $ 1.6 billion. Included in this staggering figure is money owed to architects and other professional consultants—to be paid for work completed is not an unreasonable expectation. In the Uff report, in which the appalling and shameful performance of Udecott was so painfully exposed, Professor Uff’s commission was also invited to comment on the local construction sector. The report makes patently made clear the satisfaction of the Commission with the capability of the sector to perform at a high level. It is of course accepted that the sector is not without its flaws and as with all sectors of society, any new thrust whether directed towards growth or sustainability can and must incorporate responsive and continuous reform and improvement to maintain and improve standards.

The construction capability which the Uff report affirms however remains intact and available to serve the interests of national development. Debts must be promptly settled and through consultation, informed dialogue and creative thinking the means of achieving sustainable development collectively pursued.

Mark Raymond
President—Trinidad & Tobago Institute of Architects

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