Dear Editor, I am writing to express serious concern about the leadership and direction of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC), particularly the conduct of its Chairman Mr. Josiah Austin.
Following a meeting involving a broad group of community activists, business owners, prominent citizens from the Arouca, Five Rivers and Trincity communities. There was a unanimous view that Mr. Austin should resign as Chairman of the TPRC.
The concern is not based on party politics. It is based on the fundamental responsibility of the Regional Corporation to serve all citizens fairly, regardless of their political affiliation.
One of the most troubling issues is the reported opposition to the Cabinet-approved initiative to establish a police outpost at the Eddie Hart Recreational Grounds. The Eddie Hart Recreational Grounds has been the subject of serious concerns about public safety with residents raising issues surrounding incidents such as robberies, stabbings and sexual assaults. At a time when communities are calling for greater police visibility and improved security any attempt to obstruct or undermine an initiative intended to improve public safety is deeply concerning.
The safety of citizens should never become a political issue. When public safety initiatives are viewed through a political lens, it is ordinary citizens who ultimately suffer.
Homeland Security Roger Alexander ocer sees the building of the police post at Eddie
Hart Grounds
There are also longstanding concerns about the Corporation’s performance in addressing basic infrastructure and environmental problems across the region. Residents continue to raise concerns about deteriorating roads, inadequate maintenance of major waterways and drains. Mosquito/rodent infestations, inconsistent garbage collection and other issues affecting their daily lives.
Many residents have been living with these problems for years. In some communities people have been waiting for proper road repairs, drainage maintenance and other basic services for far too long. These are not luxuries they are core responsibilities of local government.
There are also concerns regarding the use of public resources to undertake road repairs within private gated communities while many publicly accessible roads remain in poor condition. If public funds are being allocated to private developments, there must be complete transparency about the justification, authority and public benefit associated with such expenditure.
Most importantly, citizens must have confidence that the Regional Corporation is operating independently and in the best interests of the entire population. There is growing concern among residents that the Corporation’s approach to certain issues appears to be influenced by the political position of the People’s National Movement (PNM). Whether or not this perception is justified, it is damaging to public confidence and must be addressed.
A Regional Corporation belongs to the people it serves, not to any political party.
The Chairman has a responsibility to provide leadership, ensuring that essential services are delivered. They must listen to the concerns of residents ,work with the relevant national agencies when necessary to address matters such as public safety, drainage, infrastructure and environmental health.
When citizens, community activists, business owners and other stakeholders come together collectively to express a lack of confidence in the leadership of the Corporation, that concern should not simply be dismissed as political opposition.
For these reasons, we believe Mr. Josiah Austin should seriously consider stepping down as Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation. Resignation would allow for new leadership and provide an opportunity to rebuild public confidence in the Corporation and its ability to serve the people of the region without political interference.
The people of Arouca, Five Rivers, Trincity and surrounding communities deserve better. They deserve functioning infrastructure, proper drainage, reliable municipal services, clean and safe public spaces. Above all, leadership that puts the interests and safety of citizens before partisan politics.
This is not a call for one political party to replace another. It is a call for accountability, responsible leadership and service to the people.
Yours sincerely,
Conglomerate of Concerned Citizens and Community Advocates.
