Manzanilla Beach, a no-man’s land

THE EDITOR: It was interesting to hear a reporter asking the victorious PNM candidate for Manzanilla what he proposed to do about Manzanilla Beach, and if it would be developed in a more meaningful way to attract tourists. The truth is that the Manzanilla Beach referred to is not truly Manzanilla Beach. What is loosely called Manzanilla Beach is really the Cocal, and the Cocal is geographically in the Ward of Nariva. It is true that the Municipal Corporations and Regional Municipalities Ordinance of 1991 shows very vague boundaries on its map, and in fact shows the so-called “Manzanilla Beach” a no-man’s land; but Manzanilla, both a ward and village, geographically, remains Manzanilla, and no part of it can be in Nariva Ward. Does the map show any part of the Cocal in the constituency of Manzanilla? In any case, the Municipal Corporations and Regional Municipalities Ordinance is strictly for administration, and although confusing in the boundaries it sets out, it must not be allowed to alter established geographical boundaries.

A relevant observation: as one goes down from Manzanilla into the Cocal there is a huge Carib Beer sign, with the words: “Manzanilla Beach,” and, as if to compound this error, when one leaves Ortoire, in Mayaro, and is about to cross the bridge into the Cocal, there is another huge Carib Beer sign with the words: “Manzanilla Beach”. One trusts that by this letter the normal, geographical map of Trinidad will be consulted, and these signs removed.

MICHAEL ANTHONY
Port-of-Spain