Minister of Finance Colm Imbert has congratulated the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) for the work they have done in the last three decades.
The Corporation commemorated its 30th anniversary on Sunday under the theme, ‘Visionary Blueprint—Celebrating A 30-Year Evolution.’
The Minister commended UDeCOTT, saying it has transformed Trinidad and Tobago into what it is today.
“When UDeCOTT first started out, it was focussed on housing, did many housing projects. Not so much housing now. It’s now focussing on, you know, high-class, state-of-the-art, purpose-built buildings. When you look around Port of Spain, look at it right now. Right where The Printery used to be. The Social Development building is rising up there very quickly, I must say. I must compliment UDeCOTT on that.”
The Minister applauded the Corporation for its restoration work on historical buildings throughout the country.
“I never thought that we could restore President’s House. I never thought we could, and just like that, the building was completely transformed, and look at it now. It was a ruin, and look at the President’s House. Magnificent building. Look at all those buildings along the Savannah. Look at Mille Fleur, Hayes Court, White Hall, Stollmeyer’s Castle, all done by UDeCOTT. I don’t think people understand the depth, the range, the reach of this entity.”
He said there are not many companies, State Enterprises, agencies, and departments that have survived 30 years and have maintained a commitment to excellence.
“They have fulfilled their mandate, which is to improve our urban spaces. But as I said, they’ve moved way beyond urban spaces, and now they’re in every part of Trinidad and Tobago. And Trinidad and Tobago would not be the place that it is without the Urban Development Corporation. It is a better place because of UDeCOTT. Our country, our built infrastructure, is far more modern now and far more fit for purpose than it was before UDeCOTT.”
The Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (UDeCOTT) was founded on December 28th, 1994.