State paying millions in rent...

[BRZ]

So over $40 million has been paid in rent to thee owner/s of #1 Alexander street in woodbrooke. Yet to date no one has occupied the building.
So why doesn't the govt expose who has been receiving this rent at our expense.

[nervewrecker]

I know of another empty one that collect some millions in rent jusso too. Thing now start.

[shogun]

What the actual fcuk was really happening in this place?

The first administration, to finally throw people in jail, will have my vote on lock, for the following decade.

[skylinechild]

I know of another empty one that collect some millions in rent jusso too. Thing now start.

i cud beat that story.

there is a story of a certain building....that was deemed too much of a cost to run / maintain so it was sold the a board member...by agreement of all board members....this board member fixed it up...and rented it back to the company...who then decided it was costing too much to rent and decided to BUY back the building....

[pugboy]

From the tv report most of the money went to a firm to do the finishes separate from the landlord issue
Quite an ingenious way to make money off a pnm layover from previous

[~Vēġó~]

ent is ag madam family own the building?

[Fuzzle]

ent is ag madam family own the building?

Thing backfire on d PNM bussing the mark

So Franklin Khan buss-up he own padna juss so juss so !!!!!

[Redman]

Yes it's the ag in laws that own it...but .the owner rent it.

They can't force the tenant to occupy.

And the owner didn't inflate or award the cosl contract.

[Habit7]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

[moses_boss12]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

[Habit7]

Government to pay rent on empty building until November

Geisha Kowlessar
Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The vacant building at Alexandra Street, Port-of-Spain, which has been rented by the Ministry of Local Government for $8.2 million annually. Photo: KRISTIAN DA SILVA
Government is expected to continue paying rent for the controversial building at 1 Alexandra Street, Port-of-Spain, at least until November. The building remains unoccupied. In a telephone interview yesterday Local Government Minister Marlene Coudray said she could not say when it might be occupied. When pressed for an expected date she only said: “I cannot say at this time.” She added that the lease was due to expire next November but said she needed to do some research as to why the building had not been occupied.

The issue was brought to the fore in Parliament last week when Coudray was responding to a question from Arouca/Maloney MP Alicia Hospedales. Coudray said the supplier of the service product was one N J Nahous and that the rental agreement on the building had been in place since 2009 under the previous administration. Since 2010, Government has been paying $8.2 million annually in rent, at $690,000 a month, for the empty building in addition to $927,360 a year for security.

If the lease is honoured to its end, Government will have to pay approximately $6.2 million for the period up to November. Asked who were the owners of the property Coudray said: “Nahous.” On whether if she could specify a name Coudray said: “It is Faris Al-Rawi’s (Opposition senator and PNM public relations officer) father-in-law.”

The T&T Guardian also e-mailed questions about the building to Shelley Sultanti-Maharaj, co-ordinator at the property and real estate services division of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The issue of outfitting and occupation, Sultanti-Maharaj said, should be redirected to the Ministry of Local Government since the contract with the service provider was executed by that ministry.

Asked how many other empty buildings the government was paying rent for and at what cost, the response was: “Your last question is leading and assumes that there are other empty buildings for which government is paying rent.” The Alexandra Street building was originally earmarked for the Ministry of Local Government at the time when Hazel Manning was a minister and the rental contract was signed under the PNM government, which lost the 2010 election shortly afterward.

Asked why the building was not occupied under his tenure, former Local Government Minister Surujrattan Rambachan said it was “being outfitted,” adding that part of it was already completed. “There was a contract and the building was rented for the PNM by the PNM. If the Guardian wants to know the truth they would write that,” he said.

Al-Rawi distances himself

Checks at the Companies Registry revealed there was no company called “NJ Nahous” but a NJ Nahous Investments Ltd, whose principal shareholder is Nazem Nahous. Directors listed include Nazem Nahous (businessman), Jinan Nahous (businesswoman), Michael Nahous (businessman), Gina Nahous-Hajdar (businesswoman) and Mona Nahous-Al Rawi, whose husband is PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi. Al-Rawi, however, has made it clear that he has no financial interest in the building.

“I personally have no interest in that entity. I am aware that the Government rented that building on or around 2010 and that it pays a market rental below the rate paid by the government to many entities,” Al-Rawi said. NJ Nahous Investment Ltd, he added, was a limited-liability company which had been a landlord to successive governments, including the UNC, PNM, NAR and UNC, since the early 1970s. Al-Rawi also knocked Coudray for her comments.

“If Ms Coudray’s words are intended to be speculative of some lack of transparency, then let her come out and say so,” Al-Rawi added. He said the owner of the building “certainly cannot” be called upon to speak to government issues as it is “only a landlord.” He added: “Any attempt to draw salacious references to me are futile. Any of my personal business can certainly stand up to full scrutiny.

“I am aware that there are many properties rented under this regime which are owned by family members of the UNC.” He said he came from a family and community which have significant investments in T&T.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-02- ... l-november

[Redman]

So maybe we need full disclosure....all rental properties occupied and occupied,land lords and basic terms of the contract....

We put prospective soldiers and CG in the papers to ensure that people get a chance to see and comment ...but we keep these multi million contracts in the dark.

The only reason to hide the details is if there is something to hide.

This GORTT needs to take another step.

[teems1]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

[Habit7]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

The reason why it wasn't occupied is because like most leased govt bldgs it is a shell that has to be outfitted. The outfitting was bloated and the PS didn't want to pay. The public servants cant occupy a bldg without furniture, walls and wiring being paid for, the problem went unresolved for the last years.

The issue is who allowed for the contract to be bloated.

[BRZ]

Government to pay rent on empty building until November

Geisha Kowlessar
Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The vacant building at Alexandra Street, Port-of-Spain, which has been rented by the Ministry of Local Government for $8.2 million annually. Photo: KRISTIAN DA SILVA
Government is expected to continue paying rent for the controversial building at 1 Alexandra Street, Port-of-Spain, at least until November. The building remains unoccupied. In a telephone interview yesterday Local Government Minister Marlene Coudray said she could not say when it might be occupied. When pressed for an expected date she only said: “I cannot say at this time.” She added that the lease was due to expire next November but said she needed to do some research as to why the building had not been occupied.

The issue was brought to the fore in Parliament last week when Coudray was responding to a question from Arouca/Maloney MP Alicia Hospedales. Coudray said the supplier of the service product was one N J Nahous and that the rental agreement on the building had been in place since 2009 under the previous administration. Since 2010, Government has been paying $8.2 million annually in rent, at $690,000 a month, for the empty building in addition to $927,360 a year for security.

If the lease is honoured to its end, Government will have to pay approximately $6.2 million for the period up to November. Asked who were the owners of the property Coudray said: “Nahous.” On whether if she could specify a name Coudray said: “It is Faris Al-Rawi’s (Opposition senator and PNM public relations officer) father-in-law.”

The T&T Guardian also e-mailed questions about the building to Shelley Sultanti-Maharaj, co-ordinator at the property and real estate services division of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The issue of outfitting and occupation, Sultanti-Maharaj said, should be redirected to the Ministry of Local Government since the contract with the service provider was executed by that ministry.

Asked how many other empty buildings the government was paying rent for and at what cost, the response was: “Your last question is leading and assumes that there are other empty buildings for which government is paying rent.” The Alexandra Street building was originally earmarked for the Ministry of Local Government at the time when Hazel Manning was a minister and the rental contract was signed under the PNM government, which lost the 2010 election shortly afterward.

Asked why the building was not occupied under his tenure, former Local Government Minister Surujrattan Rambachan said it was “being outfitted,” adding that part of it was already completed. “There was a contract and the building was rented for the PNM by the PNM. If the Guardian wants to know the truth they would write that,” he said.

Al-Rawi distances himself

Checks at the Companies Registry revealed there was no company called “NJ Nahous” but a NJ Nahous Investments Ltd, whose principal shareholder is Nazem Nahous. Directors listed include Nazem Nahous (businessman), Jinan Nahous (businesswoman), Michael Nahous (businessman), Gina Nahous-Hajdar (businesswoman) and Mona Nahous-Al Rawi, whose husband is PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi. Al-Rawi, however, has made it clear that he has no financial interest in the building.
“I personally have no interest in that entity. I am aware that the Government rented that building on or around 2010 and that it pays a market rental below the rate paid by the government to many entities,” Al-Rawi said. NJ Nahous Investment Ltd, he added, was a limited-liability company which had been a landlord to successive governments, including the UNC, PNM, NAR and UNC, since the early 1970s. Al-Rawi also knocked Coudray for her comments.
“If Ms Coudray’s words are intended to be speculative of some lack of transparency, then let her come out and say so,” Al-Rawi added. He said the owner of the building “certainly cannot” be called upon to speak to government issues as it is “only a landlord.” He added: “Any attempt to draw salacious references to me are futile. Any of my personal business can certainly stand up to full scrutiny.

“I am aware that there are many properties rented under this regime which are owned by family members of the UNC.” He said he came from a family and community which have significant investments in T&T.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-02- ... l-november

NICE- a FORMAL inquiry should be done into this matter!

[EmilioA]

ent is ag madam family own the building?

Thing backfire on d PNM bussing the mark

So Franklin Khan buss-up he own padna juss so juss so !!!!!

More like he buss up he padna father in law. This isnt a PNM thing. This is a Syrian thing going on. UNC or PNM the Syrian cabal is never out of power.

[De Dragon]

Yes it's the ag in laws that own it...but .the owner rent it.

They can't force the tenant to occupy.

And the owner didn't inflate or award the cosl contract.

Then by that logic the lawyer fees are justified?

[EmilioA]

The question is.....did the UNC every intend to actually occupy the property.........or was this just a way of transferring money in return for something else ?

[De Dragon]

The question is.....did the UNC every intend to actually occupy the property.........or was this just a way of transferring money in return for something else ?

Prolly the money to be made was in the inflated outfitting costs?

[eliteauto]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

[EmilioA]

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

If its a 40 million dollar car it might make sense to see what others dealings you and Auto Rentals have. Cause this sounding a lot like a kickback.

[De Dragon]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

Only if Auto Rentals was owned by the wife of the AG's family...........

[EmilioA]

Only if Auto Rentals was owned by the wife of the AG's family...........

Alyuh focusing on the wrong part. Is not the AG that important. Is the wife family that important.

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

hmm as we on that topic the land I have the box drain project look like it abandon. So real water backing up now and remaining there cause it stop soon as election over. Soon as the contractor realize UNC lost he pack up shop, I would think that if the man get money to complete a project should he not complete the thing? regardless of which party in power?

Is either he run with that money or PNM not funding this but I doubt the problem is PNM, I reported this matter to the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation. Cause all the people with houses there also complaining about the mosquito it breeding.

[eliteauto]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

Only if Auto Rentals was owned by the wife of the AG's family...........

nope still makes no sense, the contract was entered into, if the last Gov't had an issue with THAT contract they could have dealt with that, not using the building because you did do the requisite is the fault of the lessee not the lessor

[Chimera]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

Only if Auto Rentals was owned by the wife of the AG's family...........

brrr

the AG and his wife both come from very very rich and successful familes

before they even enter into politics

the fact that the building is owned by his wife family...has nothing to do with the AG himself

[De Dragon]

The scandal is that the contract to outfit the building inflated from $20+ million to $71 million. The PS got a QS to evaluate it and work only worth $24 million.

Then on top of that, the building was not occupied. Rent is being paid while govt workers were put in buildings that failed OSHA test.

The fact that the building belong to the Nahous family is inconsequential as govt have rented buildings from Jack Warner without batting an eye.

There's a difference between renting a building and not utilizing it. Heads should roll for this.

If JW rented a building to the government which was left empty for years, I'd expect his head to roll also.

That makes no sense, so if you rent a car and ain't drive it it's Auto Rentals fault?

Only if Auto Rentals was owned by the wife of the AG's family...........

brrr

the AG and his wife both come from very very rich and successful familes

before they even enter into politics

the fact that the building is owned by his wife family...has nothing to do with the AG himself

The naivete is strong in this one If there is one constant in the landscape of T&T politics is the dual financiers, who win no matter what party forms the Government. Nahous/Al Wari just playing the game.

[Chimera]

Im well aware that the syrians fund both sides in an election. But what does that have to do with the ag?

[De Dragon]

Im well aware that the syrians fund both sides in an election. But what does that have to do with the ag?

Is he still married to Mona Nahous?

[Fuzzle]

All kinda thing to evade the truth. PNM started to rent the thing, the next Gov't inherited it stopped it and PNM brought it to the attention of the public after so long not knowing they were the ones that caused it but want to blame the previous administration but that backfired and they trying to cover they bam-bam.