TT$1m Curepe toilet backed up by controversy

(Trinidad Guardian) The Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) has launched a forensic audit into the purchase of a TT$1 million stainless steel automated public toilet, making it the most costly public convenience in Trinidad.

The $1 million stainless-steel two-unit toilet located between the Eastern Main Road and Priority Bus Route, Curepe Junction, Curepe, remains unused. The portable plastic urinal next to the toilet is being used while the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation decides its fate.

The two-unit toilet, which was purchased in Australia and installed between the Eastern Main Road and Priority Bus Route, Curepe Junction, under the then People’s National Movement (PNM)-led corporation prior to the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009, is now under investigation with regard to its procurement process.

The matter was raised by members of the sitting  ten-month-old People’s Partnership (PP)-controlled council and its chairman, Khadijah Ameen, at a statutory meeting. Yesterday, PNM councillor for Auzonville/ Tunapuna Esmond Forde admitted that the current council had, in fact, requested a forensic probe. “Since then, we have not received a report.”