THE Government's four-day workshop at the Coco Reef hotel, Tobago cost approximately $300,000, according to Sandra Marchak, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday held a press conference after the workshop came to a close.

Questioned on the cost of the workshop, Persad-Bissessar referred to Marchack, who said each Ministry was responsible for its own cost.

Asked for a ball park figure on approximately how much a workshop would cost, Marchack responded, "It would probably be in the vicinity of about $300,000".

All members of the People's Partnership Government attended the workshop. Some of them brought their spouses who did not take part in the workshop but relaxed and enjoyed Tobago.

When questioned, Press Secretary Garvin Nicholas said spouses were not paid for by taxpayers' and they paid their own bills.

Government members came to Tobago on Wednesday and on Thursday the workshop, facilitated by Dr Aubrey Armstrong, a management consultant, officially kicked-off.

There were presentation and interactive sessions from founder and director of the Harvard International Negotiation programme Dr Daniel Sharpiro, Martin Daly SC, president of the Law Association, former Public service head Reginald Dumas, journalist Tony Fraser and former chief of protocol Joan Massiah.

Persad-Bissessar, speaking at the press conference at the Coco Reef hotel, where the workshop came to an end, said all objectives were achieved and Government's vision and mission — to serve the people was re-established. She thanked everyone who took part, including the presenters, some of whom, she said, took no fees.

"The workshop was extremely focused, purposeful and fruitful. In my respectful view we achieved our set objectives and sometimes went beyond those to achieve other objectives," she said.

"We engaged in professional introspection and analysis and fostered the building of team spirit and cohesiveness and the development of skills, utilising modern technology and know-how," she added.

She said Government members realised that they need to work on their communication skills and ensuring that the people know that they are hard at work. She said they were unable to do this before because they were all busy 24/7.

The Prime Minister also apologised to members of the media who were thrown out of the Coco Reef on Friday by hotel staff.

"I'm sorry if you were put out of the hotel, again I had no knowledge. It was not with my consent, or any of us. It was not our intention to exclude you and I think you understand that," she said.