MSJ: Restart Point hospital project

Abdullah made the claim as he joined other MSJ leaders at a press conference on the hospital construction site, Teschier Village, yesterday.

“There is absolutely no good reason why work was stopped in this hospital,” Abdullah said.

“Can’t be a question of money as money was found to complete the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.” Abdullah said the stadium will not save lives and will not help a mother who is in the throes of labour.

He added, “It will not help a worker who has suffered an accident on the job and it will not help someone who has gotten into a vehicular accident or a child who is ill.” Abdullah said the PNM government and the Point Fortin Borough have literally turn their backs on the people by abandoning the hospital project which he felt should be a priority. He said the citizens of TT and the entire southwest peninsular - La Brea, Icacos, Cedros and Chatham -are well aware that this project had been on the cards now for over 30 years, since Dr Eric Williams was Prime Minister Abdullah pointed to the numerous energy related industries in the area and the growing population.

He noted that the existing hospital or health facility in Point Fortin was built by United British Oilfields of Trinidad or Shell. Atlantic Energy, he said, is in Point Fortin and this is one of the major foreign exchange earners of TT, exporting huge volumes of gas. He pointed also to the Trinmar operations and major oil producing fields in the country.

Abdullah noted that there is additional work taking place at the Labidco Industrial estate, with the construction of a major petro- chemical plant jointly between the Massy Group and the Japanese company, Mitsubishi, pointing out that persons who may be injured must make the journey to the San Fernando General Hospital.

Abdullah also spoke about the need for a new fire station in the borough saying that the existing one it is old, dilapidated and non-functional.

“You cannot have major industries operating in this borough and not have an up-to-date state of the art fire-station properly equipped and staffed by officers who can act on a moment’s notice in the event of an emergency,” he said.

He said Point Fortin can boast of the popular Clifton Hill Beach Resort where people from all over the country could enjoy recreational activities and this is among reasons for a proper hospital and fire-station.

Abdullah noted that the construction of the hospital started just before the 2015 general election but came to a grinding halt during the last two months. He is calling on government to re-start work immediately and people must be told when is the completion date. He also made a pitch for people in the area to be employed on the project, saying that the borough has the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the country.