(Updated) Point Fortin MP praises new highway, hospital

POINT Fortin MP Kennedy Richards on Tuesday identified the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension project and the new Point Fortin Hospital as examples of the PNM's commitment to development.

In his maiden budget contribution in the House of Representatives, Richards slammed the Opposition for alleging that the PNM had no plans to develop the country. He said it was "a blatant injustice" for the former People's Partnership (PP) government to leave the highway project in limbo on the eve of the September 2015 general election when its main contractor, Brazilian construction firm Construtora OAS, pulled out.

Richards praised the Prime Minister, National Security Minister Stuart Young and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi for ensuring the project continued.

Richards was heartened that the project will significantly improve traffic into and out of Point Fortin and boost economic activity in the constituency as well. He also viewed the proposed dry dock facility in neighbouring La Brea as having a positive economic impact on Point Fortin.

While the PP never completed the proposed Point Fortin Hospital, Richards declared, "The hospital is now 100 per cent functioning." He added that recent attempts by the UNC to claim it was responsible for the hospital's completion were a figment of "their shallow imagination."

Richards recalled that the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) facility in Point Fortin had been closed. He said discussions are under way on bringing the NESC back to the constituency.

“In the context of education and training in Point Fortin, Opposition forces were mounting the narrative in an attempt to hoodwink the people of Point Fortin that the PNM shut down NESC in Point.

“To debunk that, NESC had to close its doors because the admission rate was drastically reduced. The intake was little to nothing for the campus to sustainably operate.

“However, through adversity arises opportunity and I am currently in talks with the minister to have NESC programmes be revamped in Point Fortin.”

He thanked Sport and Community Development Minister Shamfa Cudjoe for her role in ensuring that Mahaica Oval is upgraded. While it was neglected under the PP, Richards said the oval is now 75 per cent complete.

Editor's note: This story was amended on October 22 to correct an error in the original version below.

POINT Fortin MP Kennedy Richards on Tuesday identified the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension project and the new Point Fortin Hospital as examples of the PNM's commitment to development.

In his maiden budget contribution in the House of Representatives, Richards slammed the Opposition for alleging that the PNM had no plans to develop the country. He said it was "a blatant injustice" for the former People's Partnership (PP) government to leave the highway project in limbo on the eve of the September 2015 general election when its main contractor, Brazilian construction firm Construtora OAS, pulled out.

Richards praised the Prime Minister, National Security Minister Stuart Young and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi for ensuring the project continued.

Richards was heartened that the project will significantly improve traffic into and out of Point Fortin and boost economic activity in the constituency as well. He also viewed the proposed dry dock facility in neighbouring La Brea as having a positive economic impact on Point Fortin.

While the PP never completed the proposed Point Fortin Hospital, Richards declared, "The hospital is now 100 per cent functioning." He added that recent attempts by the UNC to claim it was responsible for the hospital's completion were a figment of "their shallow imagination."

Richards recalled that under the PP, the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) closed a facility in Point Fortin. He said discussions are under way on bringing the NESC back to the constituency.

He thanked Sport and Community Development Minister Shamfa Cudjoe for her role in ensuring that Mahaica Oval is upgraded. While it was neglected under the PP, Richards said the oval is now 75 per cent complete.

Richards, who served as Point Fortin mayor before the August 10 general election, said the people of Point Fortin made the right choice in voting the PNM back into government for another five years.