Hinds: Soldiers to be assigned to southern peninsula

In a bid to better secure Trinidad's southern peninsula, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds announced that members of the regiment will be assigned to Camp La Romaine by the end of May.

Speaking at a passing-out ceremony for members of the defence force at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, on Monday, Hinds said the decision to move troops to La Romaine was done to better secure the southern part of Trinidad as well as oil and gas assets in the area.

The camp, he said, consists of five buildings with a total floor space of 1,300 square metres that can accomodate 700 soldiers.

Soldiers from two companies of the Regiment's Second Infantry Battalion will be reassigned from the Chaguaramas Heliport by May 31.

The new facility will include walk-in freezers and chillers, a butcher’s space, serving bays, a pantry and modern commercial-type kitchen equipment.

Hinds also said in addition to two Cape-class patrol vessels, the government, through his ministry, will also reintegrate an AW139 helicopter to help the Coast Guard in surveillance and air support.

During a media conference at the Ministry of National Security on Sunday, Hinds said he could not give a specific date when the boats would arrive, but promised it would be "soon."