TCDC angry at being locked out of admin office

Senior Reporter

kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt

Senior Trinbago Commercial Development Company Limited (TCDC) officials yesterday complained that they continue to be locked out of their administrative office, preventing staff from accessing important documents, including those for payroll.

This is the result of the Port-of-Spain Infrastructure Company Limited’s (POSINCO) decision to change the locks to the offices when it engaged in a walk-in takeover of the MovieTowne complex last Friday.

TCDC was yesterday adamant that the move was a bullying tactic, adding that paying the close to $11 million in rent owed to POSINCO was not an issue.

Rather, they said their issue has been paying almost three times above the rent hey should be paying to lease the land on which the complex sits.

In a statement issued yesterday, TCDC accused POSINCO of attempting to bully and intimidate MovieTowne’s management.

TCDC claimed that by changing locks on the property, POSINCO had breached the court order which stated it should not disturb the occupation of tenants at the site.

However, POSINCO also issued a statement reiterating that it had the right of re-entry and possession of the premises in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Lease between itself and TCDC.

The move was initiated because POSINCO said it could not come to an agreement with businessman Derek Chin and his business partners, who lease the property, on recovery of the debt.

Meanwhile, MovieTowne tenants, who were yesterday advised by the court to seek legal advice to determine who they should pay their rent to at the end of this week, admitted to being in a quandary.

When Guardian Media visited MovieTowne, some tenants were leaning on the side of paying TCDC while others said they rather put the money in a bank account until the court makes a final decision.

One tenant of 10 years said this month’s rent remains in an account until they can figure out what to do.

The tenant, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “You don’t pay until you get an invoice so until somebody gives me an invoice, I can’t do anything about that. I could just put the money aside in my account until such time… I don’t think Port Authority has a clue what our rent rates are.”

Another tenant said it was an internal issue that should not trickle down to the tenants.

But, some tenants said if there is a change in management, they hope there is no rent increase and that issues they have with the infrastructure are addressed quickly.

Nevertheless, it was business as usual yesterday, as the cinema, restaurants, clothing and toy stores were all open to the public.

MovieTowne’s security were overly suspicious of everyone, especially the media, but shoppers appeared unbothered by any of the recent activities.

The post TCDC angry at being locked out of admin office first appeared on CNC3.