Humphrey had great plans for Laventille

THE EDITOR: I am reading yet again of plans for the development of Laventille. When a few years ago Jack Warner sought to purchase the “Twin Towers” at the foot of the hill for a footballers residence, he was chased out of town. An integral component of that proposal was the integration of the entire hill, up to the water tanks, into a larger downtown development plan.

John Humphrey, as Minister of Housing and Settlements had drawings and a huge three dimensional model prepared to illustrate an approach which embraced housing, commercial activity, pedestrian and tourism straight off the Brian Lara Promenade, sidewalk cafes and spaces for community activities. The model is still on display at the Ministry. Presentations were made to genuine community leaders as well as to representatives Eric Williams and Eulalie James. They embraced the ideas in the privacy of the Ministry. Not a single resident would have lost his space on the hill and unprecedented economic activity would have resulted, controlled by the residents themselves.

So what happened? The parliamentarians went back to their political party and emerged with a different tune. The people were sacrificed once again, this time from benefiting from a genuine approach to development with full people participation. Unless politicians can jump out of their head, read mindset, nothing will change in Laventille. After all, these are our people to do as we please with them. Take back your community from the politicians, Laventille. Elect your own non-party representative at the next local government election. Insist that the Humphrey proposal be re-visited and plan for your wider community. Only when you lift the yoke of the new slavery, can you move forward.

ALLEN  SAMMY
San Fernando