Direct Impact in Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas

Residents of Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas, came out in their numbers as they were re-visited by Minister of the People and Social Development, Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh on Thursday 15th August, 2013. He was accompanied by Mayor of Chaguanas, Orlando Nagessar, officials from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) as well as from PTSC and the ELDAMO bus services for the elderly and differently-abled.

The visit came a mere five days following Ramadharsingh’s assessment and consultation with residents on their needs and concerns for their community. The exercise is all part of the Ministry’s Direct Impact/Effect delivery services to communities across the country. Residents were assured by T&TEC’s General Manager, Kelvin Ramsook, that the area would be outfitted with adequate street lights and that all their lighting needs would be addressed. This disclosure brought loud shouts of approval and rousing applause.

“We’ve extended the life of the use of the grounds, now we want to extend the life of the community,” stated Ramadharsingh. Officials from the Ministry of Health Insect Vector department were also at hand to offer their services and guidance on rodent and pests control, as this had been one of the major concerns raised during the initial visit.

Ramadharsingh, in his feature address, noted that he would have “zero tolerance” for uncleaned lots in the area, which also falls under his constituency. As such, he noted, CEPEP has been deployed to “cut every single overgrown lot”.

Several booths were set up and residents were encouraged to access them, as they were there to meet and treat with the issues previously raised by them. Also among the booth occupants were the People’s Issues Resolution Cor-ordinating Unit(PIRCU), MTS, to name a few. Ramadharsingh also brought with him several agencies under the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training(TEST), such as the Job and Career Coaches, as well as the YTEPP, NTA and NESC buses.

The minister noted that these services were extended so that residents can address the burning issue of unemployment and further encouraged young people to seek gainful employment with MTS. “The change you want starts with you. Begin at the bottom and work yourself all the way to the top, if you have to,” he noted.

Also being addressed was the issue of transport as PTSC official Brain Wannette, disclosed that the Corporation will soon be offering a bus service from Edinburgh to Chaguanas. He added that further assessment and consultation would determine from where and what schedules the shuttle would provide.

In conclusion, Ramadharsingh noted that residents can also expect increased police presence and patrols, as a meeting with Minister of National Security, Emmanuel George, the Commissioner of Police and officials from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is imminent.

END