Social Activist wants Mc Leod’s seat

Gopaul appeared tall and royal in the midst of the band members and other members of the constituency who had accompanied him to show his support. In fact, while Gopaul entered the office to file his nomination, the band remained outside playing with supporters standing by. Some supporters could be seen holding placards that read, “Allan will bring victory”, “Allan, a people’s person” and “Greatest PM Ever, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Newsday caught up with Gopaul following his exit from the office. He explained his decision to run, and what he could bring to the Pointe-a-Pierre constituency.

He stated, “I’ve decided to run because the constituents have decided that they want a local candidate from the constituency, and based on my social and community background I’ve been very active in the constituency and I’ve been very active in the politics of Pointe-a-Pierre for the last 21 years. I’ve taken the opportunity this time around to be a candidate this elections, so that I can ensure that the work I’ve started in my community over the years will be fulfilled at a higher level. I’ve been the chairman on two occasions, I’ve been activist, I’ve been youth officer on one occasion, and education officer on one occasion. I’ve served as a regional manager in many campaigns of Wade Mark, Mr Mc Leod...That experience will help me as a candidate, because I understand the dynamic situation of Pointe-a-Pierre.”

Gopaul also highlighted the fact that he had spent all of his life in Pointe-a-Pierre, saying that because of this familiarity with the community, he has an additional edge to represent the community in the way that a community should be represented.

He added, “Being a person from the constituency who was born, grew up and lived in it, I think I can bring that change, and that dynamic type of political will that constituencies look forward to. I have outlined a ten-page plan, a constituency development plan for the constituency over a five-year period...specifically, unemployment, sports, culture, social work, pulling together the constituency as a family, actually...I’ve been a businessman for 17 years. When I left school, I opened my first business, and I remain the managing director of that organisation, ALCON services, a general contracting and consultancy firm. I’ve been married for the last 15 years and I have three kids.

“I’m the CEO of Green Pioneers, one of the largest NGOs in Trinidad at this time. We have over 3000 members from the constituency...I was previously the president of the Ramleela Committee, the Divali Committee, and a lot of organisations within the constituency.”

Gopaul is not sure if Mc Leod would again contest the Pointe-a-Pierre seat.