Gift of light: TTEC and IATF bring lights back to Basilon Street

After more than three months of darkness, the Basilon Street Community Centre and basketball court in east Port of Spain will have lights in an effort to encourage more after dark activities for families and youths.

Newsday visited the community centre yesterday, as workers from the TT Electricity Commission's (TTEC) Public Lighting Department were finishing their work on the lights surrounding the basketball court.

Repair work on the lights began last week and was expected to be completed yesterday.

Speaking with Newsday, Basilon Street resident and contractor Reynold Rosal commended TTEC and police officers of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for pushing for the repair work done to the lights.

"It really is a Christmas gift to the community and I hope this gesture would encourage some of the youths in the community to become involved in sports and stay away from bad company.

"I really want to thank the IATF especially Supt Wayne Mohammed for assisting us and encouraging us to get the lights back."

Rosal said despite a challenging year, he was optimistic that Basilon Street residents would make full use of the basketball court.

He said while the perception of east Port of Spain as a hotbed for crime still persisted, he believed there was still hope for youths and said the return of lights to the recreation grounds would be the first step towards changing the stigma.