Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has kept her promise to address the issue of noise pollution in the country.
In a statement on X on Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced that she has instructed all fetes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy to be stopped, as the noise has become unbearable for residents.
“Noise pollution is a nuisance. I instructed that all fetes at the Brian Lara Stadium be stopped as the noise has become unbearable for residents. For far too long, the issue of noise pollution and its negative impact on communities has been ignored. My Government is committed to addressing this, as promised.”
The Prime Minister’s statement follows comments to the media by the Chairman of UDeCOTT, Shankar Bidaisee, who confirmed that the ban takes effect immediately.
Speaking with TTT News, Vice President of Citizens Against Noise Pollution in Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT), Lindy-Ann Bachoo, commended the Prime Minister for taking decisive action.
“We are absolutely overjoyed. For the last decade or so, there has been a lack of political will in addressing noise complaints, not just from the Brian Lara Stadium, but also with regard to noise emanating from events, open-air fetes, loud music from entertainment venues such as bars and lounges, and even from private citizens,” she said.
Ms. Bachoo emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to cultural events.
“We understand the cultural aspects associated with our outdoor events. However, we cannot have fete promotions trumping people’s Constitutional rights. In addition, we have to understand that there are certain things that need to be regulated if they are proving to be problematic.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters’ Association condemned the Government’s ban on the use of UDeCOTT facilities for Soca and other Carnival-related events. The Association described the move as “destructive and short-sighted,” and warnted that it could severely impact the country’s tourism and entertainment sectors.
Commenting on the PM’s announcement, Ms. Bachoo urged promoters to ensure all events are fully compliant with established regulations.
“They are supposed to have a sound mitigation strategy in place, whether they use cluster speakers, if they use sound-absorbing material, the way they orient their speakers. This is hardly done by any of these types of promotions. So if now there is a need to regulate, this is something that the stakeholders have to sit down and submit that perhaps the Brian Lara Stadium may not the best venue because there is a close proximity to other communities, then they need to start looking at other venues or they need to start looking at sound mitigation strategies.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also announced that the Fireworks Legislation will be passed in Parliament before the end of this year.