Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlean John, has made it clear that community consultations will take place before any project moves forward.
Speaking to journalists following the launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Revitalisation Project, the Minister specifically addressed concerns from residents in Sea Lots and East Port of Spain who will be affected by construction when projects in those areas begin.
“I worked at HDC for a number of years. I was Chairman of UDeCOTT for a number of years. I never sent people out to do consultation. I went myself. So all of these projects, as we are about to impact communities, you go out respectfully with the consultation. I’ll be there leading those consultations.”
Minister John dismissed concerns about gentrification in Sea Lots and East Port of Spain, noting that the Government will employ ways to ensure residents are part of the process in the rehabilitation of those areas.
“In 2015, when Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar had said, everyone who had been living in those communities of East Port of Spain, and are renting HDC houses, give it to them for $1, it was $100 a head. But they didn’t pick it up, because when I said, ‘Madam, you’re giving away POS,’ she said everybody deserves a place to call home. I can’t promise it will be that easy again in terms of the price, but certainly we are going to work with the community to ensure that they are part of the build out, and a part of what comes out, the output.”