Late night bacchanal for Soca WarriorsMayor: Plantation business unwelcome in Chaguanas

Speaking after a ceremony hosted by Irish telecommunication company Digicel at Price Plaza, Chaguanas, Rambachan said he welcomed statements from Digicel (TT) CEO Stephen Brewer that the company was seeking to set up operations in Chaguanas. Recalling previous statements made by Digicel about its plans to invest in TT, the mayor was hopeful that the company would become "partners in the development of the borough."

Rambachan noted that in the past, companies have set up operations in Chaguanas but "don’t make the kind of contribution we desire." He said the owners of those businesses behaved similar to "long time plantation owners", making their money and then leaving Chaguanas.

Today, the mayor said there are many businesses who have traditionally operated in Port-of-Spain who have branched out into Chaguanas because Central Trinidad is being increasingly recognised as an economic growth pole in the country.

However Rambachan lamented that the Chaguanas Borough Corporation is experiencing "great difficulty" convincing some of these businesses "to make a contribution by way of corporate citizenry to the development of the borough."

"You have great difficulty in convincing them. Although they are making lots and lots of money in this area," he said.

The mayor however remained optimistic that Digicel and other companies operating in Chaguanas would be convinced to act as responsible corporate citizens in the development of the borough and its people.