Energy companies must give back to the community

THE EDITOR: Just recently, former national football coach Edgar Vidale was appealing for corporate support for football in the deep south. He said it was unbelievable that a football team from Point Fortin, La Brea and Palo Seco could not get a sponsor. It is not only unbelievable, it is so absolutely ridiculous that the business community in south Trinidad should be ashamed. Where are all the executives and business organisations that always boast about helping the youth? Or is it that they are only willing to support a certain type of youth since most of the young footballers in this area are poor and unemployed? As Vidale said, the deep south has produced some of the best footballers that this country has ever seen Archibald, De Leon, Cave, Brewster, Brian Williams, Aldwyn Ferguson, Steve David and many more who can be role models for the youth in the area.

What is worse, is that this region produces most of the country’s wealth with some of the richest companies right on the doorstep. I am talking about Atlantic LNG, BP, National Gas Company, Petrotrin and British Gas, all of them making huge profits from the oil and gas in the deep south. Some of them have built multi-million dollar offices in Port-of-Spain while the south is forgotten. This nonsense must stop and they must support football in south. The people of Pt Fortin, La Brea, Fyzabad and surroundings are longing for the return of the glory days of south football. It is time for these companies to start giving back to the community that has made them millions.

V HARRIS
Fyzabad