Kidnapping, vagrancy, plaguing Chaguanas

A CHAGUANAS businessman has warned that the recent spate of kidnapping in the country could negatively affect the growth of the business sector in the Borough. Mike Ibrahim, PRO of the Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, described the upsurge in kidnappings as “a frightening experience which is causing big businessmen to leave the country in large numbers.” He said the Chaguanas Chamber is “deeply concerned about crime and kidnapping,” particularly the recent incident involving Lange Park resident, Ravi  Kallipersad Maharaj, 33, who was kidnapped on  Thursday. The victim is the son of Ramnarine Maharaj, owner of  Ramo’s Auto Garage, at Longdenville Old Road, Enterprise.

“People are not safe in their own homes any more  and this is causing the Chamber to come out in the open and criticise the powers that be who are in control of National Security,” Ibrahim said. Maharaj was due to give evidence in a Port-of-Spain Court against two men  charged with kidnapping him on September 2002. Ibrahim claimed Central businessmen were being targetted by criminals. “We are extremely worried about the entire situation which is growing in intensity. Kidnapping is now a national calamity and unless the authorities could find an immediate solution the country will be discredited internationally,” he warned.

Commenting on another major problem in the Borough was Chaguanas Mayor Dr Suruj Rambachan who said vagrancy was the result of  “wilful discrimination” by the authorities who failed to assist homeless people in Chaguanas. The Mayor complained that the vagrant population in the Borough is increasing and is “becoming a serious threat to the safety” of other citizens. “I am afraid that the relevant Ministry responsible for delivering social  services  has not been attacking the problem in Chaguanas. Perhaps they are tackling the problem in areas closer to their hearts,” Dr Rambachan said. He said the Chaguanas Borough did not have the “facilities nor the funding to deal with vagrancy.” “I am making a special appeal to the relevant authorities to shift their focus to the central and help us to solve this fast growing vagrancy industry in the country,” he said.