Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday that consideration is being given, for the first time, to host the annual Independence Day Awards in San Fernando. The T&T Guardian understands the request comes from President Anthony Carmona, who has suggested that the 2013 edition of the ceremony be held at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts.
At a brief ceremony on the San Fernando Hill yesterday, where Carmona was bestowed with the nation’s highest honour, the Order of the Republic of T&T, and as Chancellor of that Order the Prime Minister dismissed speculation that was being done because President’s House was not adequate to host the annual awards ceremony. She said monies had been awarded for the repair of the President’s official residence but could not give details of its status.
She added: “It is not because the President’s House is not in proper condition. It has not been for some time. “The awards function, since I became Prime Minister, has not been held at the President’s House. It has been held elsewhere.” She also denied that was the reason why yesterday’s function was held at the Visitor’s Centre on the San Fernando Hill. She said: “What is happening at the House is not why we are in South. That is not why we are here.
“This event in the South also speaks of equality of space and place. We feel every space and place of our country should be given equality and a share of the things we do. “That is why we have a new teaching hospital being built in the South. That is why we have the Debe Campus. “Look how nice you feeling to see us in South,” she told reporters, asking: “When was the last time you ever saw a Prime Minister and a President in the South, except for Carnival fetes?