Jobs for our youths, or else...

Tempers flared yesterday as the Laventille Council of Elders dismissed rumours that they were receiving contracts from the URP, CEPEP and NHA building refurbishing, but withholding the information from the youths because of favouritism.

The council, which is just eight weeks old, believes the youths feel betrayed and as a result, they called a press conference at their office on George Street, Port-of-Spain. “The jobs are opening on Monday and there is nothing for the youths from Laventille,” stated Selwyne Sandy, president of  the council. “We are not on politics; all we want to do is bring peace to the area,” he added. The Elders are claiming that since they have formed a body, there has been a decrease in gang warfare in the Laventille area. “For the last six weeks there has been no gang war because of the Elders’ work. Now what is the Government giving back to Laventille,” said Mc Donald Padmore, public relations officer of the council. He also stated that without the programmes, the youths become desperate and have no other solution, but to indulge in criminal activity.

Padmore accused the Government of accepting “fellas” from another block for the programmes when they know that it will “breed the war.” Chairman Lennox Smith expressed fears for the life of its members as the rumours spread that they had received favourable consideration by the Government for three programmes and were engaging in favouritism. “Such rumours not only threaten our lives but undermine our integrity as a body,” he said. He maintained that the only way to “keep” peace in Laventille is to get jobs for the youths.