Brown: Governance through communities

NEWLY-ELECTED Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown yesterday pledged that the Port-of-Spain City Corporation (PoSCC) will “give voice to the voiceless” and promote good governance through the building of stronger communities within the city.

Speaking minutes after his swearing-in at Port-of-Spain City Hall, Mayor Brown declared: “In this modern age, people are now strongly voicing their demand for improved standards of living. Our theme for this term of office is building sustainable communities in recognition that we need a new approach to governance. This approach must involve all stakeholders, not only those who have a voice or a mechanism for voicing their concerns but also those in the lower income community, the poor, the unemployed, the disadvantaged.” Brown disclosed that the PoSCC had already intitiated this approach to governance with the help of the Urban Management Programme of Latin America and the Caribbean with two projects dealing with solid waste and HIV/AIDS. “ The Corporation does not possess all the resources to provide for the needs of our citizens and it is only through alliance with our corporate partners and other stakeholders in the city that these needs could be met,” he said.

On the issue of crime, Brown said a joint effort between the POSCC and the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) to place security cameras at strategic locations was successful in reducing crime in the city. the corporation has proven that it has the expertise and capability to have projects economically and efficiently implemented. We have also demonstrated the ability to engage the private sector in creative and constructive ways to develop our city which “has had a positive effect on the reduction of serious crimes in the city.” The Mayor said while key issues such as crime, homelessness and street children still affect the city, he saw “a bright and prosperous future for Port-of-Spain.” Brown said the PoSCC also looked forward to the promise of increased funding for local government and touched upon the Corporation’s efforts to deal with street vending and flooding. He said arrangements had been worked out between businessmen and street vendors for vending on certain days and times and the PoSCC will be speaking with different agencies whose operations could cause blockages in the city’s underground drainage system. At yesterday’s ceremony, veteran councillor for St James East Rishi Lakhan was re-elected as Port-of-Spain’s deputy mayor.