Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein has dismissed speculation surrounding the future of the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, insisting that no announcement has been made regarding the possible sale or divestment of the State-owned asset.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, he criticised newspaper reports linking contractors and financiers to a potential purchase of the property, saying there is no evidence, process or official decision to support such claims.
“I must say that it is also irresponsible of certain media houses – I may not call their name, but they have in fact published an article tying contractors and financiers or whatever they want to term it, as purchasing this asset. Where did that come from? There is no evidence, there is no process, there’s nothing of that, but yet we have seen that being published widely in the newspaper.”
Minister Hosein said Government is currently assessing the best way forward and will update workers and other stakeholders when discussions are more advanced.
“We have inherited a certain issue with respect to this under the last administration that left it to languish. You would have heard the former former Prime Minister, Dr Rowley, made certain pronouncements with respect to the upgrade and so on of the facility. Those were some outstanding matters that have been plaguing the e TecK and Hilton as the lease arrangement. I must tell you that what we are trying to do right now is ensure that we have the best commercial viability for the asset.”