CHIEF Secretary Farley Augustine told Tobagonians the deplorable, inhabitable and decaying conditions he found at the chief secretary official residence after he was elected in December, caused him to spend over 220,000 in repairs to restore the house to a habitable and safe standard.
The residence is located in Hampden, Lowlands, and was built in the early 1950s. In 2014 former chief secretary Orville London spent– $5 million to have the space completely renovated and expanded. It was then renovated in 2017.
Five years later, the house was deemed unfit for human habitation of its predecessor.
[caption id="attachment_946490" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pictures of damaged bathroom fixtures presented to the Tobago House of Assembly Plenary Session on Thursday by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. -[/caption]
Augustine said he preferred to live at home, in a room downstairs his father’s house in Speyside, than to live in the existing conditions as he responded to a question on the renovations at a fourth sitting of the assembly on Thursday.
Augustine claimed there was rust on almost every corner of the compound, broken awnings, AC units, rust on the main gates, doors, deplorable driveway and furniture, broken bathroom fixtures, thermal system, shower heads, missing and broken tiles moulding and torn-up cushions upholstery and couches.
He also said there was urine on furniture surfaces, missing fixtures and damaged lattice, balcony planks that made the space unsafe.
Augustine complained there were missing lights and a significant build-up of calcium and limestone found in the unmaintained pool which cost the assembly– $212,319.39 to repair since he took office.
Before assemblymen in the chamber and over 300 Tobagonians watching on Facebook live, Augustine showed photos of what he met at the residence and the repairs made.
[caption id="attachment_946493" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pictures of an unmaintained pool presented to the Tobago House of Assembly Plenary Session on Thursday by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. - THA[/caption]
The first issue he raised was rust on the brackets holding up the awning. “I pray for that it doesn't happen anybody said especially my wife's head while we are there because staff will have to compensate me for this.”
He said there was rust in the AC attached to the main quarters. “I can’t be in the cold breeze and those that work at the residence, with less salary than me uncomfortable. We must have equity across the board.”
He said the rusted burglarproof gate leading to the master bedroom, which seems like it had been that way for over seven years, is a security concern.
In another photo, he showed missing chair legs and a damaged desk in the office at the residence. He said the fixtures in the bathtub were irreparable and the fitting shad to be replaced.
Missing blue mosaic tiles in the pool were purchased and replaced along with broken tiles in the bathroom. Augustine said the beds in other rooms were repaired but the bed in the master bedroom wa
