Mayor bent on Chaguanas reform

Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan has many plans and innovations geared towards making the Borough better in terms of safety, security and responsibility; beautification and the environment; business development and wealth creation; technology and education.

“We are mandated to provide local government services but we live in a community where people expect much more of you. They want to find out what you are doing about crime, education, employment.

That is why we take on the needs of the entire community in totality,” he told Newsday.

Boodhan noted that every area of the Borough was of equal importance to the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, and his aim was to bring all areas up to a certain level of development. He said when residents and business people realise this, they are willing to come on board with the Corporation, and everyone works towards a common goal.

For example, Boodhan stated that, every month for the past year, the Corporation planted around 200 to 300 plants and trees in public spaces, or have given the plants to schools and religious organisations to plant to help the environment as well as to beautify the area. In addition to schools, they also work with Lions and Rotary Clubs, and received support from the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Companies too, he said, had begun adopting spaces for beautification.

Meanwhile, the Corporation continues to work with several agencies to control litter and, in extension, mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, Dengue, Chick V. Notices have been served to owners of derelict vehicles; litter wardens hand out warning notices and tickets; the Corporation’s Disaster Management Unit helps keep water courses and drains clear; one unit locates owners of abandoned lots of land and informs them of the need to maintain it; another unit visits homes, evaluating the threat and distribute literature; and the Insect Vector Control Unit sprays for mosquitoes.

“Most importantly, all that we have done would come to nothing if the residents do not want to work with us to help us to help them. For example they can clean the drain in front of their homes or do other simple things to live a quality life,” he said.

Most recently, Boodhan organised an Inter-Agency Security and Traffic Management Team. For the past year and a half, representatives from the Police and Fire Services, Immigration Division and Licensing Authority, traffic wardens, the business community and other stakeholders meet once per month to discuss Chaguanas issues, problems and solutions.

In addition, the Chaguanas Inter- religious Organisation was formed earlier this year. Boodhan noted that, sometimes people prefer to go to their religious leaders with issues rather than to the police or State authority. These issues can be brought up at monthly meetings with the Mayor and addressed in collaboration with relevant agencies.

Despite all these improvements, one of the biggest problems in Chaguanas is traffic.

Boodhan noted that, initially, Chaguanas was a family-oriented community and so was developed from one main street. Now however, it has become a “Mecca for shopping” with people from all over the country visiting to get the best bargains. Business too have felt the need to have a presence in the busy district, all contributing to traffic jams on an almost continuous basis.

Boodhan noted that the “ring road concept” was started under former mayor Suruj Rambachan, and it continues to give drivers alternatives to enter and exit Chaguanas by a roads on the outskirts of Chaguanas. He is also working with the Traffic Management Unit to have more signage to direct drivers to these alternatives.

“However all the good intentions and ideas we have are being nullified because every week you go out on the road, you seeing a new license plate series. We are working with these units as well as the business community and consultants to continue to find solutions for the traffic situation in Chaguanas,” he said.

In terms of business, Boodhan stated that Chaguanas has the largest total retail floor space in the country.

Not only does the Corporation work wit the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, but as mayor, he has encouraged smaller businesses to organise themselves into bodies. This has led to the formation of the Chaguanas Downtown and Merchants Association, the Cunupia and Environs Business Owners Association, the Montrose Business Owners Association, and the Felicity Business Owners Association.

“We have meetings with all those organisations once per month and they share their views, ideas, and suggestions and we work hand in hand with them in the name of development,” he said.

“In the Borough, no one is bigger than anyone else. Everyone has their role and function because all of us are in this thing together. All of us want a better, more prosperous, safe and secure Chaguanas. And we want to make sure that its people are happy and comfortable,” he continued.

Boodhan added that, if residents feel they are not getting the quality service they need, they can visit him at his office at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation on Cumberbatch Street, Chaguanas, or call him on his personal cell phone at 779-7343.

He thanked the members of the Council - the councillors, aldermen, administration, employees of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation for all their support.

He also thanked all stakeholders including social, sporting, education, religious, and security organisations, as well as the MPs of the various constituencies within the Borough for their continued cooperation.