Protests won’t hasten process for jobs

Protestors staged protests in a similar fashion to those staged on May 15 which involved residents blockading roads leading into the City, causing traffic and mayhem.

Morvant residents, however, did not take the situation as lightly as the councillor, as they continued protests demanding better roads, access to water, and job opportunities.

Lambkin also made a call for residents to exercise patience, as things are already being put in place, to meet the residents’ demands.

From as early as 5 am yesterday, irate residents took to the streets, dragging debris and garbage onto Lady Young Road, and setting it on fire.

Port of Spain police, along with fire officers, cleared the debris, only to have residents put more burning debris on the roadway.

Lambkin told Newsday yesterday that he cannot condone the actions of the protestors, but he empathises with the plight of the Morvant people.

“There are some places in the Morvant area, like Never Dirty, which is a developing area. Areas like these do not have access to pipe-borne water.

Some people would usually get by because they live near a spring, but because of this dry season, even those people were not getting water. The Corporation would usually provide truck-borne water to the residents, but the new head of the Morvant Fire Station has barred us from filling water trucks there.

I have already spoken with the necessary ministries to ensure that water trucks are filled and a water supply is brought to the residents,” said Lambkin.

He also said, with regard to projects which will provide jobs for the Morvant people, the Corporation is awaiting funding for these projects to start.

He noted that the protesting would not hasten the process for these job-creating projects.

The councillor said firstly, money would have to be allocated, then a tender would have to be placed, and when a company is selected, jobs will be provided.