Local Gov’t Minister urges citizens to ‘give back’

Ana-Lissa Jack

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein made a call for all persons in the service sector to deliver quality service from the heart. He said this at the Sangre Grande Volunteer Network’s launch at the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation (SGRC) Car Park today.

He added, “What I find lacking in some corporations is, you don’t get there service that you expect to get there.” Hosein stated that it is the expectation that persons in service-oriented positions speak kindly and have manners, however he admitted that he has gotten complaints about inadequate service. “People come into the police department, public health department and the corporations frustrated, and when they are not treated with kindly they leave feeling worse,” he said. He encouraged all workers and volunteers to be genuine and give from their hearts.

He said that Community Volunteer Networks which have been launched in 4 municipalities and which will be launched in the other nine is an effort to give back to humanity. “There is a certain joy in giving and expecting nothing in return.” Member of Parliament for Cumuto/Manzanilla Christine Newallo-Hosein supported Hosein’s call and urged all volunteers to have a commitment, desire and willingness to give of themselves freely. She stated, “Our citizens have a natural volunteer spirit. Parents are heavily involved in activities that ask of their time, but we need parents to not leave their children at home when they do so.” Newallo-Hosein stated children are not impacting society in a meaningful way and volunteering and giving of their time will allow that wrong to be corrected.

Chairman of the SGRC, Martin Terry Rondon described the day as a day of sharing and training. He thanked the various Non-Government Organisations and businesses for being a part of the initiative and encouraged them to use the day as a step to their own volunteerism projects.

People from Sangre Grande, Toco, Matelot and environs were treated to booths from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Civilian Conservation Corporation, Nature Seekers and community businesses. Families received school bags, books, grocery items and were also treated to manicures, pedicures and foot massages.

At the event, a new police vehicle which was purchased by the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government was handed over by the minister, to the Sangre Grande Municipal Police, headed by Inspector Sewak Baran. This will add to four vehicles with two motorbikes.