LGE candidates concerned about crime, poverty, infrastructure

CRIME, poverty and the repair and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure are among the chief concerns that several candidates who put in their nomination papers for the local government election intend to address once elected.

Several candidates raised those issues as the key needs of the people of Port of Spain as they applied for candidacy at the OWTU and Communication Workers Union offices on Henry Street on Monday.

UNC candidate for Belmont North and West Chantal Subero said there was a significant amount of unemployment among youths, which she believes is a key contributor to another area of concern for Port of Spain – crime.

“I believe, once I work with my community members, we could create programmes in which young people could filter in,” she said. “When people don’t have jobs or a steady income, they turn to crime. So I think targeting unemployment with youth will be one of the main concerns.”

Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) representative for Belmont East Felicia Holder said the same problems she addressed in the last local government elections still persist some five years later. But she believes, as her party’s slogan goes, “Phillip will fix it.”

“Our political leader and our team have been going across TT and fixing things that the Government and Opposition cannot,” she said. “Litter still remains a problem, clogged drains still remain a problem, water still remains a problem, our roads still remain a problem, and all these are focused on local government. I plan to be that voice for real change in Belmont East.”

Abu Bakr: More youth needed in politics

Representing the PDP in the Belmont North and East district, Fuad Abu Bakr said  while there are usually a lot of young people putting themselves forward in the local government elections, more youths are needed to bring about change.

“I would like to see younger people having a more substantial role in politics and in party politics in particular,” he said. “The backs of the youths are ridden when you need foot soldiers in districts during the general elections, but when it comes to representation you don’t find much young people.”

He said the mindset of young people who were building their lives and full of hope differed tremendously from older ones who might be comfortable with the way things were.

“In the current climate that TT is in, we need significant change that would bring about better conditions.”

He also pointed out the challenges in Port of Spain and in the country as a whole, which included crime, increases in the cost of living, poor infrastructure and unemployment.

“I have been in this for some time, and these are the things that I have been speaking about and seen as absolute necessities.”

Subero, 21, said youths could bring new perspective. She said it was one of the reasons she stepped forward as a representative.

“As a young person, I find that there is a gap between elders and youth in politics. So I am putting myself forward to fill that gap.”

Nicole Young: local govt reform will give autonomy

Belmont East returning incumbent Nicole Young said local government reform would give representatives an ability to better take care of their burgesses.

“I am very excited about that because...we will have more funding, so we will be able to fix every road, do more projects and get more infrastructural work done. We will also be able to have more autonomy to better serve the people.”

North Port of Spain returning incumbent Abena Hartley added that the corporation was also in need of changes, particularly with administration and in the engineering departments.

“To me, that is where we need to come stronger.”

Both returning incumbents expressed confidence that their work would speak volumes on August 14, and would be more than enough to have them re-elected.

Young said she maintained accessibility and advised new representatives to make the job about the people and not themselves.

“I know that people were able to access me, and when they did, as much as I could help them, I was able to try to help.

“I definitely would give them advice and tell them you need to have a love of people, and you can’t come into this job not understanding that it is about the people. It is not about you or self-service, but service of the people. Stay strong, be committed and love the people and they will love you back.”