The Prime Minister’s recent pronouncement raises serious concerns that areas west of the lighthouse may be left out of the Government’s priorities.
The allocations to local government bodies appear to reinforce these fears, with Diego Martin reportedly suffering a reduction of more than 80%.(The development allocation for Diego Martin is projected to drop from TT$11.1 million in 2026 to TT$2.22 million in 2027—an 80% reduction a cut of TT$8.88 million).
How can a local government authority maintain roads, clear drains, cut overgrown vegetation and provide essential services when its funding is slashed so drastically?
Residents of Diego Martin, Westmoorings, Federation Park and other western communities are taxpayers too. They deserve their fair share of national resources, regardless of which political party represents them.
Government must not punish communities through the allocation of public funds. National development must be equitable, transparent and based on the needs of the people, not political geography.
I call on the Government to explain the reported reduction in Diego Martin’s allocation and demonstrate how it intends to ensure that communities in the west are not neglected.
We are ONE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, not a country divided into favoured and forgotten communities.
LORD, HELP US IN THE WEST!
Gordon Laughlin,
Westmoorings
