Construction, Engineering & Transportation

by Sheldon Waithe

As three significant pillars that point to the progress, status and capacity of any nation, Construction, Engineering and Transportation stretch way beyond their respective sectors, intertwined as they are into almost every facet of society.

Trinidad and Tobago, with its deep roots in industrialisation can boast of experience and progress within these sectors, in many cases far ahead of its neighbours in the Western Hemisphere. But this does not mean that the country has overcome the challenges or perfected the practices of these pillars, even if - with one eye on diversification and expanding the plans to become one of the major business hubs in the region - the trickle down effects of energy industrialisation offers Trinidad and Tobago a distinct advantage.

CONSTRUCTION

Fuelled by the universal staple requirement to provide affordable accommodation via the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the renovation of existing city centres together with projects under the tenure of State Boards, there are multiple developments across both islands, including:

• The continued transformation of the Chaguaramas peninsula into a major tourist park

• The Point Fortin Highway Extension

• The Curepe Interchange

• A major redevelopment of the ANR Robinson airport in Tobago

The current government has recognised the need to incorporate all relevant sectors into these projects, citing a willingness to jump-start the industry by partnering with the private sector construction companies, but the latter is awaiting further action on the matter. The current challenges facing the industry include:

• Within the past 15 years, construction expertise has been imported, especially from China for mega projects

• The majority of all construction is being carried out by the public sector

• An increased flow of money out of the country to foreign firms

• Minimal construction expertise being handed down to locals for future development

• The construction industry has accounted for only 5% of Trinidad and Tobago’s GDP (2010-2015)