TEAM FROM TRINIDAD’S MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT VISITS MTW

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Works, Dr. Alwin Hales (left) in discussions with Mr. Franklin Khan, Minister Of Works and Transport, Trinidad at a courtesy call at the MTW Office, 138H Maxfield Avenue.

A team headed by Mr. Franklin Khan, Minister of Works and Transport, Trinidad and Tobago, visited their Jamaican counterparts from March 1-5. Other members of the party were Mr. Rudin Austin, Permanent Secretary and Mr. Brent Williams, Senior Legal Adviser.

The team was in Jamaica to examine various projects falling under the MTW portfolio. To this end, they toured the Port of Kingston, facilitated by the Port Authority of Jamaica and Highway 2000 hosted by the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC). Additionally, they were also taken on a tour of the Caribbean Cement Company and met with members of the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica.

On Wednesday, March 2, the team met with a technical group from Jamaica’s Ministry of Transport and Works comprising of Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales, Director of Technical Services, Dr. Janine Dawkins, Senior Director, Policy Planning and Evaluation, Mrs. Elsa-May Binns, CEO of the National Works Agency, Mr. Ivan Anderson, Director of Policy, Ms. Valerie Simpson, Director of Corporate Planning, Mr. Shawn Grey and Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. Leo McEwan. At this meeting, Minister Khan used the opportunity to explore ways in which assistance could be obtained from Jamaica in terms of their efforts in building a highway comparable to Jamaica’s Highway 2000. He said he was particularly interested in this aspect of Jamaica’s development since they in Trinidad were having major traffic problems and were looking at various options to address same. The discussions continued with various members of the Jamaican team giving inputs as to how the Trinidadians could proceed with respect to such a project.

Minister Khan also spoke about his government’s efforts at compiling a national transportation study and also sought whatever assistance he could obtain from his Jamaican counterparts.

The Trinidadian delegation will leave the island on Saturday, March 5.