Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism promises San Fernando a national gift

Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr the Honourable Lincoln Douglas

July 24, 2012:

Minister of the Arts & Multiculturalism, Dr Lincoln Douglas, following yesterday’s (23/07/2012) tour of the National Academy for the Performing Arts – South Campus, has promised an National Gift to the City of San Fernando.
 
Minister Douglas was joined by the Mayor of San Fernando, Dr. Navi Muradali, representatives from UDECOTT, UTT, Naparima Bowl, the San Fernando Arts Council, the office of the Member of Parliament for San Fernando West and Ministry officials, who toured the facility and assessed its readiness.

Minister Douglas has said that “my intention is to officially open NAPA South between Independence Day and Republic Day 2012”.

A number of key points were raised during the tour of the facility:

1.The Shanghai Construction Company handed over the NAPA South Campus facility to UDECOTT several weeks ago but after review with UDECOTT, agreed that there were a number of areas that needed to be fixed.
2. Some of these issues have already been resolved. However, UDECOTT has advised that a few areas remain outstanding and are being addressed before the facility could be handed over to the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism.
3. To prevent a repeat of the situation at NAPA North Campus, where several snags surfaced after opening, the Ministry has engaged the services of an engineering company to review all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within the facility. The company has been working over the last few weeks to ensure that these have been adequately completed and a report was last Friday submitted to the Ministry.
5. A team was appointed to review and make recommendations on the management and staffing of the facility and to begin planning for the opening and soft testing of the facility.
6. This team will also be looking at the policy on bookings and pricing for the facility, in light of the requests the Ministry has been receiving for the use of the complex.
7. Initial reports will be submitted within the next two weeks, at which time a tentative date will be set for the formal opening.

Minister Douglas would ideally enjoy being able to open the facility in time to allow for some aspects of our country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations to be hosted there. He will, however, ensure that all persons charged with the responsibility of readying the Academy work with haste, but are accurate.