USE CEPEP IN DENGUE FIGHT

On Friday 2 August 2024, MP Vandana Mohit hosted the UNC’s 12th 2025 Pre-Budget Consultation, on the advice of the Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, meeting with residents and stakeholders in an extremely informative dialogue.

These included the Dyette Estate Residents’ Association, the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled Peoples’ International, Chin Chin Residential Development Committee, Cerebral Palsy Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Jerningham Junction Farmers Association, Public Transportation Operators, Cunupia Police Youth Club, Endeavour Sports Club, Point Pleasant Park Residents Association, Kings Park Community, Gairy John Football Coaching School, Club Enterprise Basketball Club.

Many of these organisations noted that this Government has never consulted them on the Budget, despite the Government’s dependence on them to deliver essential services to the disabled, youth, and others.

The issues and solutions they brought to the meeting included:
– a request for a comprehensive drainage survey and corrective measures in Dyette Estate
– Replacement of the dilapidated Dyette Estate Children’s Park and Exercise Equipment, completion of park in Chin Chin Residential Development
– Construction of Community Centre in Chin Chin Residential Development
– CEPEP assistance for public areas, for public health generally, and specifically for dengue prevention
– request for regular spraying to assist with mosquito control
– Catchment pond cleaning in Chin Chin Residential Development
– Completion of the Bridal Road Bridge
– Repaving of Roads throughout Dyette Estate, Chin Chin, and Point Pleasant Park
– request for security cameras and street lighting in Chin Chin Residential Development and Kings Park
– need for postal services in Chin Chin Residential Development
– need for increased police presence, request for random patrols in Point Pleasant Park, Kings Park and elsewhere
– Revise the means test for Disability Grants and increase the levels; reinstate Food Cards for disabled persons
– allocation of homes for persons with disabilities; provide public transportation for persons with disabilities
– NGOs dealing with disabled persons have not received subventions from government
– schools must equipped to facilitate disabled students
– the need to address food security, as the food import bill keeps increasing
– farmers not given promised budget allocation, and agricultural sector not made tax-free, as promised
– none of the 2024 budget promises were fulfilled on infrastructure development, employment in the cocoa industry, infrastructure for rice farmers, refurbishing of Piarco Packing House, aquaculture support, strengthening of Praedial Larceny squads
– allow the majority of farmers access to incentives, improve the compensation system
– need to support existing farmers and solve agricultural problems before bringing in large numbers of new people into the sector to face the same frustration
– maxi taxi operators need better protection from criminal attacks
– No transportation hubs exist for Chaguanas/Curepe maxi taxis
– unbearable traffic congestions in Chaguanas needs to be solved
– State should support the maintenance and upgrade of the maxi taxi fleet
– The Cunupia Police Youth Club needs a home so its activities can be properly conducted and expanded
– request for beautification and upgrading of Avidesh Samaroo Park, and grants for the club to host Premier League T20 tournament and provide youth training camps
– request for funding from Gairy John Football Coaching School and Club Enterprise Basketball for equipment, conducting training camps, and facilitating participation in local and foreign competitions
– residents expressed strong opposition to the Property Tax

The social needs of the residents and stakeholders of Chaguanas East were raised in great detail. This is also an important part of the national budget, which has been slashed by the current Government due to their gross economic mismanagement.

Sadly, Citizens have been experiencing a steadily decaying quality of life under the PNM. It is clear that they wish to reclaim a decent standard of life, happiness and hope. The UNC had provided a much better life for citizens in its previous term of Government, and is prepared to do so again.

These requests and issues were recorded and collected, to be included in the Opposition Leader’s Budget reply, and in the responses of UNC MPs.

The UNC continues its Pre-Budget Consultations until 21 August 2024. Every citizen who wants Trinidad and Tobago transformed for the better, and who wants their voices and opinions to be heard, is encouraged to participate.

Dr. Kirk Meighoo
Public Relations Officer
United National Congress