Wednesday, June 20 2012

MINISTER of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh yesterday said 37 people have been “removed from the streets”of Port-of-Spain over the last two years as he sought to counter a Central Statistical Office report which suggested there has been a 13 percent increase in vagrancy.

At a hastily-called news conference at his Freeport Office, Ramadharsingh said the13 percent increase is a reflection of the situation over the last ten years. “The increase depicted cannot be taken in isolation in the context of the strides made by my ministry since the People’s Partnership Government came into office two years ago,” he said.

Ramadharsingh, the Caroni Central MP, said in November 2011 intense discussions were held with major stakeholders, including mayors and several NGO’s, who expended great social effort in dealing with the socially displaced. He said to date and continuing, 37 persons were removed from the streets voluntarily.

Legislation is before the Cabinet to address the issue, Ramadharsingh added. He noted vagrants who have been removed are housed at the Piparo Empowerment Centre, and a similar facility on Queen Street, Port-of-Spain is currently being prepared.