THE tit-for-tat between the Port of Spain Infrastructure Company (POSINCO) and Trinbago Commercial Development Company Ltd (TCDC) over MovieTowne, Invaders Bay, continues, with the latter accusing its landlord of “bullying, provocation and violating a court order.”
In a press release on September 9, TCDC (the leaseholder) said it “strongly condemns the ongoing actions of POSINCO and its agents.”
It accused POSINCO, the Port Authority’s real-estate manager, of “untruthful allegations” about an incident on September 6, involving port police and security officers of Telecom Security Services, which is employed by the TCDC.
In a statement on September 7, POSINCO denied its officers intimidated anyone.
POSINCO officers claimed they were “met with hostility” while “executing our duties” at MovieTowne. It alleged Telecom Security Services officers blocked the door and threatened officers with guns.
In its release, POSINCO maintained it always observed the terms of the court order and did not engage in intimidation tactics, so there was no reason for its representatives to do so.
“POSINCO security has been directed to maintain minimal contact with TCDC personnel while maintaining its right to possession. Since re-entry on August 23, 2024, POSINCO’s security officers have been stationed at the premises. This is in keeping with our position as the landlord and is fully within the terms of the re-entry procedure.
“Our officers are not deployed to engage in any form of confrontation and have been explicitly instructed to limit interaction with MovieTowne staff,” the POSINCO release said.
The statement added that “regarding the unfortunate incident that took place on September 6,” POSINCO was not the instigator.
It said its personnel were merely doing their duty under the court order, and it was regretful that others had had been instructed to act in a “threatening manner” towards POSINCO officers.
It also said on August 23, it executed its right of re-entry to take possession the premises over outstanding rent owed by TCDC.
However, TCDC, in its release on September 9, insisted POSINCO has continuously disregarded the High Court orders directing it from interfering or disrupting the operations of the TCDC and its tenants.
POSINCO, it said, "has attempted to impose restrictions, bully and physically obstruct the operations of TCDC and TCDC employees from executing their daily responsibilities.
“This action is in direct contravention of the order…Acts of intimidation include attempts to prevent access and/or timely access to files and documents, offices and restroom. It also includes the monitoring and limitation of the movements of employees, intimidating language, threats and abusive shouting at female and other staff.”
The TCDC said on September 6, its administrative team asked for a door to be closed because of the central air condition system. The request was refused.
It also said none of its security officers was armed, nor were there any threats of violence against any member of POSINCO’s s
