Laventille community groups call for $20M corporate funding

The Council of Elders of Laventille, with the support of eight community based organisations, has made a proposal for the allocation of two thirds of the $30 million annual  Promotional Budget of Private Enterprises to the Morvant/Laventille area. The eight groups which met on Saturday included, The Morvant Laventille Improvement Organisation (MLIO), The Beetham Gardens Development Organisation, The Beetham Youth Vanguard and The Displaced and Homeless Childrens’ Organisation. Lennox Smith, Manager of MLIO and appointed spokesperson for the groups credited the Council with the reduction in gang related killings through its ‘Peace Treaty Drive.’

Smith informed Newsday that the “drastic downturn in crime, particularly gang related killings was not as a result of the month of Ramadan, but due to the timely intervention of the Council of Elders.” During the past four weeks, The Council has facilitated a series of meetings between rival gangs in the Morvant/Laventille area with the intention of reducing the level of criminal activity within the community. “Not enough attention is being placed by both the private and public sector on community based social intervention institutions which contribute to the tranquillity and stability of these communities,” added Smith. He went on to state that by funding the activities of such groups, the socio-economic climate will improve, resulting in an improved business environment. The eight groups are also critical of Government’s “laid back” approach to addressing poverty, youth crime and unemployment.