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THE ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) is building a billion-dollar general election war chest.

Already some $500 million has been assigned to two State enterprises, which will dish out infrastructural projects over the next few months.

The Government will also utilise much of a planned $10 billion loan to undertake various improvement and development projects.

There are allegations that most projects would go to favoured contractors, without the scrutiny of the procurement law.

Public Sector Improvement Projects (PSIP) from the current budget, along with assigned funds to State enterprises and ventures from the $10 billion loan would all amount to healthy pre-election spending.

That, according to knowledgeable political sources, would permit the ruling regime to cream off a sizable slush fund.

Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Ltd. has been assigned some $300 million for works on roads, drains and bridges, but the projects are not listed on the company’s website.

Rural Development and Management Company Ltd. is being awarded a reported $200 million for infrastructural projects.

Other State enterprises, including National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (NIDCO), are also being assigned increased funding.

A Government motion in Parliament is seeking permission to borrow $10 billion but there are no specifics of the purpose of the loan.

One vaguely outlined reason is that the funds are required “by an enterprise that is controlled by the State.”

The motion also indicates that money would be assigned to “a statutory authority within the meaning f the Statutory Authorities Act.”

In addition, several improvements works are being conducted, such as a $12 million refurbishment of San Fernando General Hospital, creating opportunities for contractors and workers.

Contractors are also being kept busy on public housing projects.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley last week turned the sod for construction of 148 three-bedroom apartments at Citrus Clove Development, along Eastern Main Road, Laventille.

Improvement works are taking place at Charford Flats in Port of Spain, and other public housing communities.

The Ministry of Works and Transport has jump-started road rehabilitation and other infrastructural works, with much emphasis being placed on Sangre Grande and Chaguanas.

The Valencia-to-Toco upgrade and related works are underway.

Minister Rohan Sinanan is the PNM’s prime activist in the north-eastern community.

The United National Congress won the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation in the last two local government elections.

Hectic expansion work is also taking place along the Uriah Butler Highway, close to Chaguanas.

Interchange projects are scheduled for Endeavour and Munroe Road.

Richi Sookhai, Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport, is being hyped to contest the Chaguanas East seat, currently held by the UNC’s Vandana Mohit.

Rowley recently commissioned a $11 million swimming pool in the D’Abadie-Malabar district.

Several aspects of the $41.3 million San Fernando Waterfront Project are being carried out, and work is expected to begin soon on the By-Pass-Tarouba Link Road.

A $133 million car park along the waterfront is under-utilised because of reported high rental charges.

In Tobago, work is being accelerated on the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport improvement project.

Several other ventures are due to kick off, offering opportunities for contractors and speculation of kickbacks by some for the PNM.

While the election is due next year, Rowley is being encouraged by some advisors, including an influential financier, to call a snap poll while the Opposition is still putting its house in order.

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