Sando mayor disappointed with business association

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello has expressed disappointment with the lack of cooperation between the southern business community and the San Fernando city corporation.

Addressing the final statutory meeting for 2017, Regrello observed that several other business organisations such as the Port of Spain, Arima and Penal/ Debe chambers had all “banded together” to represent the business interests in their respective regions.

“It is with disappointment that I’ve noted that there is no such collective voice in San Fernando,” Regrello said, and noted that a “single unified collective voice” would possess the authority to engage the corporation about policies and regulations regarding the city.

“The absence of such a group has yielded one or two individuals who simply do not have the capacity or merit to represent the businesses of San Fernando,” he said, adding, “as a result, some of the primary drivers of one of our country’s most active local economies have been left under-represented.”

“San Fernando businesses need an official voice. In doing so, I look forward to the creation of a properly functioning San Fernando business organisation in 2018 that would hold regular meetings, annual elections and operate in a democratic fashion in order to foster better relations and further develop our city.”

San Fernando Business Association president Daphne Bartlett declined comment on Regrello’s observations.

Meanwhile, Regrello observed that 2018 may produce opportunities for growth as a “major hotel” was expected to begin construction next March.

The hotel is expected to be situated opposite the South Park Shopping Centre in Tarouba.

He said the long-awaited San Fernando waterfront development project was also expected to begin with a revitalisation of the historic San Carlos Plaza in mid-January and which was expected to provide employment to burgesses.

And regarding the fight against crime, Regrello commended the efforts by members of the southern division led by Senior Supts Zamsheed Mohammed and Yussuff Gafoor saying the division was leading other divisions in gun seizures as approximately 179 guns had been seized by officers.

“Crime reduction and the establishment of a safer San Fernando are imperative if we are to maximise the potential of our economic future,” he said.