Parliament to sit at Conference Centre

When Finance Minister Audley Shaw tells the nation which projects will be cut from the Budget he presented in April, he will do so from the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston as the nation's business will be conducted from that facility for at least a month.

The Conference Centre, the scene of the recent Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry, is to be used as the Government effects repairs estimated to cost more than $10 million to the roof of the George William Gordon House.

"The Houses of Parliament is in the process of effecting repairs to the roof of the Legislative Chamber. Consequently, meetings of the House of Representatives and parliamentary committees scheduled for the end of August and September have been moved to conference room number five at the Jamaica Conference Centre," a release from public relations officer at Parliament, Tashanna Alcock, said.

Work has already started on the project which was estimated to last six weeks, but the discovery of asbestos pipes last week has raised concerns that the period of work could be extended, as well as the rental of space at the Conference Centre.

$50,000 per day

The Gleaner understands that the operators of the Jamaica Conference Centre will be paid up to $50,000 per day, inclusive of rental of conference room five and at least one suite for meetings of the parliamentary committees. The main chamber comes at a cost of $35,000, and $10,500 for each suite with the remaining balance for incidentals.

However, Parliament's bill could run close to $300,000 per week, with usage on Tuesdays for the House, Public Accounts Committee and Constituency Development Fund committee; on Wednesdays for the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee and House; Economy and Production meeting on Thursdays and the Senate on Fridays.