Laventille West to choose between doctor, lawyer

There have been mixed reactions to the decision of Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds to bow out of electoral politics from people in his constituency - some want to see his back while others were sad to see him leave.

Newsday visited several areas in the constituency, including Block 22, Mentor Alley and Fort Picton, on November 30, where residents voiced concerns over several longstanding issues.

These included a lack of piped water, poor road conditions, inadequate security, and limited job opportunities for young people.

Many residents believe a change in representation may not significantly improve their situation, as Laventille West is often considered a “safe seat.” This perception has led to feelings of neglect, with many in the community feeling the government has not prioritised their needs.

Beetham community activist and attorney Kareem Marcelle has emerged as a popular alternative. He gained attention after a leaked video from the Laventille West Women’s League meeting showed a majority of members supporting him as the party’s candidate.

However, on the ground, another name has been gaining traction: Dr Kadelle Jessamy, a 32-year-old medical doctor with a master’s degree in public health and a diploma in global leadership from the United Nations University for Peace.

In a second meeting of the Women’s League, Marcelle again garnered the most support, winning 106 votes to Hinds’ 78, while Jessamy received just one vote.

Bertram Lawrence, a 58-year-old long-standing member of the PNM, believes had Hinds not stepped down, he would not have won the election. He expressed his satisfaction in seeing Hinds leave, saying, “I’m glad to get rid of him,” accusing Hinds of failing to deliver on several promises.

Lawrence, who has lived in the community for many years, said road conditions are worsening and are in dire need of repairs. He also highlighted the importance of restoring a nearby gas station that services many residents.

Additionally, Lawrence is advocating for the installation of an ATM machine in the area, a facility he believes would greatly benefit the community. Lawrence says he is not familiar with Marcelle and made it clear he plans to support Jessamy, noting any potential candidate will face challenges in addressing the community’s needs. He gave graded Hinds “zero out of ten.”

Gloria Burke, 86, sat enjoying a bowl of corn soup at her neighbour’s home around 1 pm. She expressed her sadness over Hinds stepping down. She said she was surprised by his decision but wished him the best, saying he has always done his best.

Burke acknowledged Hinds did not visit the community frequently but noted that was understandable given his demanding role as a minister – with one of the “toughest” portfolios. She said with the prevalence of crime, he is needed elsewhere. She thanked Hinds for his years of service, not only to Laventille but TT. A woman sitting on a concrete bench near a Play Whe booth on Laventille Road, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said she is supporting Jessamy because she believes only a woman can lead the community.

“Women are homemakers and leaders: they know how to put a house in order.”

The woman, visibly unwell with swollen ankles, said she is in the process of applying for disability benefits owing to ongoing medical issues, a process she started six months ago.

She said she spoke with Hinds three weeks earlier about her condition and he promised to assist. According to her, Hinds had purchased one of five medications she needs, each costing an average of $519.

She said Hinds and his team had donated food items to her and her family. However, when asked to grade his performance, she gave him a seven out of ten, noting that while she appreciated his help, there was still much more to be done.

Despite her gratitude, she emphasised the need for more investment in the community, particularly in terms of providing young people with access to training and job opportunities.

“We have a lot of skilled people in the community. We need to invest in them, give them the tools to teach and empower the younger ones coming up. All these young people are doing is drinking (alcohol) and smoking. They need better guidance.”

Three men liming under a mango tree were critical of Hinds during his tenure as MP, describing him as a “complete failure” and a “waste of time.” One of the men, a retired ambulance driver, took aim at the Prime Minister for accepting a salary increase.

“People out here suffering, and all he could offer public servants is a four per cent increase, while he himself gets all that money: daz nuh madness?”

During a post-Cabinet media briefing on November 28, the Prime Minister said he had accepted the recommendations of the Salaries Review Commission.

“The recommendations have come after work that I believe has been good work, and I am prepared to accept their work. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of the story.”

Asked if he thought the salary increase was fair, Dr Rowley said, “Whether it is fair or not is not the point. Those who were given the assignment to do it, they have done it, these are the recommendations, and I accept it without further discussion.”

The salary increase will see the PM’s pay rise from around $59,000 to $87,000.

Other concerns expressed by the men were the issue of inadequate waste management. They called for more open-tray trucks to collect discarded appliances and derelict vehicles, which they said contribute to traffic congestion on already narrow streets.

They also linked the accumulation of junk to the increased presence of mosquitoes in the community. Another key issue was the chronic lack of water. One man, saying he had not received pipe-borne water in years, and his water tanks are only filled after repeated calls to WASA requesting a truck-borne delivery.

They stressed the next MP must prioritise addressing gang activity and youth delinquency.

The men spoke about the social divisions created by “unseen lines” that separate different parts of the community. They explained how these boundaries, often rooted in gang rivalry, restrict freedom of movement and put additional pressure on young people seeking employment.

Navigating through these hostile areas to and from work can be discouraging, they said, and often leads youths back onto the streets, where they find themselves in trouble.

The group had no encouraging words for Hinds, with one man stating that his decision not to run for re-election was probably the best thing he could have done for the community.

Asked why they continue to vote for the same party if they are dissatisfied, one man said, “I don’t know, like we stupid, like they beat we with a PNM stick, all we could see is PNM.”

He said they are now prepared to vote for another party when general elections are called.