The National Diversity Ministry is engaging the services of a Canadian consultant to examine the Greyfriars building to see if it should be listed with the National Trust before any further discussions on whether it could be demolished or not, says Communication Minister Vasant Bharath. He responded to questions on the issue yesterday in the absence of Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie whose ministry is also monitoring the issue, along with the Diversity Ministry.
This followed widespread public outcry when businessman Alfred Galy moved to demolish the building last month. Galy bought the building from the Greyfriars board of the Presbyterian church and began demolition. After partial demolition, this is on hold after protests and while the issue is being examined.
The Presbyterian Church in T&T has distanced itself from the sale of the building and made it clear the Greyfriars Presbyterian Church resides with the Church of Scotland group which founded it, while the PCTT is affiliated with Canadian missionaries who began PCTT. Bharath said Tewarie has met with Diversity Minister Rodger Samuel on the issue, but Cabinet has not taken any decision on the matter, or discussed it.
Bharath explained that there needed to be clarity on whether the Planning Ministry’s Town and Country Division had approved the demolition and also whether the building was listed with the National Trust. He added, “Dr Samuel has also engaged the services of a Canadian consultant to come to T&T on the matter and they have not arrived as yet.”
“It was agreed to await the arrival of the consultant to determine the authenticity of the building to see if it should be listed before any further discussions on whether it should be demolished or not.” Samuel had said the buildings were demolished even as talks were underway to list the site as a heritage site, which would have given it legal protection.
Contacted yesterday Samuel said he was not sure of the date of the consultant’s arrival, but knew they were coming before year end. He said the person would be further assessing the structure.
On whether the ministry was paying for their services and if so, how much, he said they were coming on the invitation of the Citizens for Conservation. When told that the T&T Guardian had learned his ministry was instrumental in the situation and asked if the Government was assisting that body with any costs, he said when things were being done “we always try to assist...”
Samuel’s phone then clicked off before the T&T Guardian could ask further questions. There was no reply after that. Tewarie was expected back from the ACP meeting in Brussels by today.