City to buy machine to clean underground drains

The Port-of-Spain City Corporation will spend $1.2 million to buy a vacuum to clean the underground drains of the city, according to Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown. He made the disclosure during an address at the sod-turning ceremony for Sportline America on Henry Street yesterday. Speaking on the Corporation’s plans for the development of the city, Brown revealed that this machine is expected to come in by the end of the year. The process is currently done manually. Additionally, he said, the Corporation was seeking government’s assistance in obtaining a milling machine for the repair of the streets in and around the city.

He said, “I am not in agreement with the turtle-backing of our streets, that is putting additional asphalt on top of what is already there. The streets must be milled and repaired.” At present, the country has two milling machines, both owned by contractors. One is currently out of commission. Expressing his belief that crime in the city has seen a decline, Brown informed the gathering that approval would soon be given to increase the number of police officers in the city, an act which, he said, would go a long way in helping to alleviate illegal activities. He attributed the decline in crime to the removal of vendors from the city. Vending was previously a problem in Port-of-Spain, until the vendors were removed and allowed to ply their trade at Woodford Square on weekends. “I am all ready and willing to assist vendors,” he stated, “but they must obey the law. There is no compromise as far as I am concerned where street vending is concerned.”