The contract to install internal furniture and fixtures at the new Customs and Excise Division head office at the Government Campus Plaza, Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain, has been completed to the tune of $77 million. Customs officers, along with executive and administrative staff and other personnel are expected to fully relocate operations by end next month. The building can accommodate 500 employees.
Although the move will be done on a departmental basis, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Roodal Moonilal is confident the new facility will prove a beneficial for both employees and members of the public. Speaking during a tour of the building on Monday, Moonilal praised the contractor Exeqtech, for its efforts to complete the project within a seven-month period. The contract was awarded last April.
Speaking to reporters following the tour, Moonilal said Government had overcome the numerous challenges it encountered upon entering office in 2010, which included the outstanding payments to contractors and the CL Financial meltdown. “We had several challenges as a government but once we got over that we were able to complete the building. The selection and tendering processes have been flawless and transparency is above board. Nobody can question those issues as in the past.
“We expect no push back regarding the other buildings.” The other government offices to be relocated to the Government Campus Plaza include the Board of Inland Revenue head office, the Office of the Attorney General and the Immigration Division. Customs head office is currently located at the corner of Abercromby Street and Independence Square at a rented building.
about the new customs office
The building has 1.3 million square feet of office space—features ten floors which have executive offices, a library, a cafeteria, conference rooms, break rooms, several storage areas, meeting rooms and work stations, as well as 360 security cameras installed throughout the building. There are also 1,700 parking spaces at the nearby Parkade for officers and other employees, while 60 parking spaces have been designated for department heads in the building's basement.
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Udecott chairman Jearlean John, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Rudranath Indarsingh and Ag Comptroller of Customs Ammar Samaroo accompanied Moonilal on the tour. Moonilal also paid a brief visit to the new office of the Integrity Commission, Level 14, Tower D, which can accommodate 60 staff members. John said the installation of furniture and fixtures to that office cost $3.4 million and was done by local contractor Agostini.
It was completed within four months. The Integrity Commission currently occupies rented offices at the Unit Trust Building, Port-of-Spain.