Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and MP for Mayaro, Nicholas Morris, says residents of Mayaro can expect greater access to education and skills training, along with improvements to their water supply, in the coming months.
Speaking at the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training’s Touch of TVET event in Rio Claro on Saturday, he said the constituency stands to benefit from what he described as an upcoming “energy revolution”, with new educational opportunities being brought directly to communities in the area.
“The YTEPP programme will be launching here in Rio Claro for digital skills as well as technical skills. And that, in itself, is a big step for the Mayaro constituency because that is phase one. We are now working with the NESC and the MIC and through Professor Persad to ensure that COSTAATT as well has a presence in the Mayaro constituency.”
He added that the initiative will not stop in Rio Claro, noting that discussions are underway to extend the programmes to Mayaro and Biche.
“While the YTEPP programme will be launched in Rio Claro next week, this is just phase one. We are in discussion with the Ministry, with the CEO, with the Chairmen of the various boards to ensure that these programmes are extended into the Mayaro segment and the Biche segment. We are only into our, approaching our second year into office, we have limited resources but we are ensuring that there is an equitable level of treatment to all of us.”
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Professor Prakash Persad, said efforts are also being made to introduce other programmes in the area.
“We are talking to COSTAATT to get some nursing training programmes here also.”
“We recently concluded an articulation agreement with all institutions so you can go from YTEPP to NESC, to MIC, to UTT to UWI to COSTAATT wherever. You can move across.”
Meanwhile, MP Morris also highlighted progress on plans to address longstanding water supply challenges in the constituency.
“One month ago, thanks to the Prime Minister and Minister Padarath, one month ago we held that IDB consultation in Mayaro to being the construction of that desal plant, so your water shortages here in Mayaro, we’ve put that roadmap to ensure that there is a better water supply in the Mayaro constituency.”