Blind workers in the dark over relocation

The blind members would soon have to leave their adjacent New Street building, as deep trenches, and mountains of sand and gravel surround their already dilapidated welfare workshop.

The workers yesterday said they were going through a number of hardships in an effort to escape trenches, backhoes and tractors currently at the site.

Yesterday, a fed-up group of blind workers said they were fearful that one of their colleagues could fall into a trench. Blind spokesman Kenneth Suratt said that Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) officials had promised to relocate them.

Suratt said that Udecott officials met with the association a few months ago and discussed relocation. He added that Udecott had first offered $1.8 million for their relocation to the San Fernando wharf for a period of two years.

The association rejected the offer, Suratt said. "We did not accept because after two years, what happens? We would be forced to go on the streets."

He said as a result of their non-acceptance, Udecott gave the association the opportunity to find a site for their relocation. "The site located, considering easy access, was at the corner of St James Street and Penitence Street. However, when we brought it to Udecott’s attention, it was bypassed for reasons unknown."

And as excavation work draws precariously closer to the blind workers’ building, Suratt said, "We are left in the dark. We want to know how long from now will we have to remain here in these unsafe conditions."

Suratt claimed that earth works, which are currently being done by Udecott along New Street and Chancery Lane, are causing a serious threat to the safety of blind people. They face grave difficulties each day gaining access to the building which is almost surrounded by trenches.

"Many of the blind persons are forced to walk on the road around the trench, but their safety is at risk. They could fall in the trench," Suratt said.

Udecott manager, Nigel Williams, could not be reached for comment yesterday.