Don’t use Govt as a scapegoat

Following a DOMA meeting at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, DOMA president Gregory Aboud said that some members believed downtown Port-of-Spain was being intentionally neglected and Government may have plans to develop a new commercial centre in the western section of the city.

Neither Aboud nor any of the business owners who attended Saturday’s meeting substantiated those claims.

In response yesterday, Robinson-Regis said Government should not be used as "a scapegoat in DOMA’s call to shutdown Port-of-Spain" and described DOMA’s statements as "reckless and irresponsible." She reminded DOMA that only two months ago her ministry hosted a breakfast meeting where it clearly spelt out development plans for Port-of-Spain.

At that meeting, Robinson-Regis said, plans were submitted for reconstruction of the burnt-out People’s Mall, discussions were held about development of East Port-of-Spain and unauthorised development in the city, as well as the extension of the Brian Lara Promenade.

She said the evidence was there "for all to see" that the Urban Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) was moving apace to demolish Salvatori Building and erect a progressive structure in the heart of Port-of-Spain.

She explained that these actions provided tangible proof that Government has been forthright in its dealings with DOMA and the nation and "as a consequence the Government should not be used by the members of DOMA as a scapegoat if they feel the need to protest."

The minister said DOMA appeared to be concerned with "making headlines and scoring points for public support" by making its utterances on Saturday. She said Government is addressing DOMA’s concerns about security in Port-of-Spain and arising out of regular meetings between the National Security Ministry, the police and DOMA, Government has moved to implement some of DOMA’s suggestions.

Among those already implemented are joint police/army patrols in the city, a mobile police presence on the Brian Lara Promenade and the presence of a Skywatch unit on the Promenade.