Beetham protest on hold

Two weeks ago, police had to be called to the area as residents staged a three-day fiery protest burning wood, tyres and a derelict boat on the Priority Bus Route (PBR) and Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

Residents promised to sleep and continue their protest under the shade of a tent positioned in the vicinity of the basketball court at Phase Two, Beetham Estate until construction of a community centre began. The tent, belonging to a resident, was however removed yesterday, as the owner needed to use it for a function.

Sherma Wilson, spokeswoman on behalf of the residents said, “We intend to be vigilant and are in the process of getting another tent to continue our protest.”

She told Newsday, Joan Yuille-Williams, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs had scheduled a meeting with residents for Wednesday at a venue to be decided, where they were to discuss issues affecting the Beetham including, the construction of the community centre, the cleaning of a canal running along the bus route and commencement of personal development programmes for Beetham residents.

She said the residents had formed a committee of ten people, which comprised of two people from each Beetham phase and were to have an open-house under the new tent, inviting community groups from around Laventille to discuss possible solutions for community problems.

Wilson said she had made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Member of Parliament for Laventille West, Eulalie James, who had promised to fast-track the construction of the community centre.

“We just want our area developed and equipped with community facilities,” she said.