Al-Rawi: Waterfront new life for Sando

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd which had gathered on Harris Promenade for a free open air Christmas concert hosted by the PNM’s San Fernando West constituency on Friday night, Al-Rawi said the concert was the first in a series of activities which would take place at the promenade and Waterfront Square.

“We plan to do this on a more frequent basis as we come forward and as we begin our San Fernando Waterfront development this year,” Al-Rawi said, adding, “the idea is to bring life back to San Fernando, be it at the Waterfront Square, where we are going to reclaim three point eight hectares, be it in the development of the old building there, the idea is to create a place for entertainment which is safe and secure.” Al-Rawi recalled the last time he had attended an open air Christmas concert on Harris Promenade was with his grandfather when he was a little boy.

“The last time I was on the promenade like this, I was a little boy and my grandfather was wearing a hat and people wore jackets to come out so I thought I would wear the jacket if only because I came straight from Parliament to here,” said Al-Rawi, who is also the Attorney General.

“And this is just the beginning, this is where we reclaim our space,” he said, before thanking several persons and organizations for volunteering their time and talent to the event.

“These events do not happen without volunteers, without citizens stepping forward and doing their part very, very quietly. Those of us who serve in public office stand in a revolving door which turns very quickly but our mission is very simply is to bring alive our city and have our people claim space,” he said.

He also thanked the Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Commission for lighting up most of the promenade and several trees and also Independence Avenue, San Fernando. Al-Rawi then joined with a choir to sing the Christmas carol “Oh come all ye faithful” to the delight of the audience which included former deputy mayor, Junia Regrello who is expected to move up and be appointed the city’s mayor.