Sudama served Oropouche well

THE EDITOR: I read with interest and amusement in the newspapers a statement made by the present Member for Oropouche, Dr Moonilal, and a letter from one Rodderick Lewis of Tunapuna with regard to lack of development in Oropouche and implying that the former Member for Oropouche, Trevor Sudama, did very little for the constituency. Such a conclusion could only stem from an attempt by Dr Moonilal to make excuses for his non-performance or from ignorance of the record of Mr Sudama from those unfamiliar with Oropouche.

Oropouche, like so many other constituencies represented in Parliament both by the UNC and PNM, requires significant improvement and development. Laventille, La Brea and Mayaro also complain of underdevelopment.  This means that Governments, both PNM and UNC, have pursued flawed regional development strategies as well as misdirected priorities. Oropouche did start off as an area of great neglect. Nevertheless Mr Sudama in Opposition relentlessly made representation to Ministers of Government, public servants and officials of state agencies on a daily basis quite apart from his vocal advocacy in Parliament. It was a sterling example of persistence and commitment. Unlike Dr Moonilal who is engaged in propaganda and public relations, Mr Sudama carried out his outstanding representative function quietly but effectively and without fanfare.

While not all his representations bore fruit, many did. Examples are too numerous to mention but the following are just a few while he was in Opposition. In order to improve the water supply situation, mains were replaced on major roadways such as La Fortune/Pluck Road, Dumfries Road, Papourie Road, SS Erin Road, San Francique Road and innumerable secondary roads including Tulsa, Gopie, Doorbassa, Jokhan, Suchit, Batchya, Raghunanan and Debe Trace. Electricity was extended to very many areas including Tennant, Ramcharan, Robertson and Antilles Trace and Railway Road. Agricultural access roads were constructed or rehabilitated at Rahamut, Cemetery, Sukal, Antilles, Tennant and Debe Trace. Primary schools were constructed or reconstructed at Debe, Penal, Diamond, Rambert, La Romain, Woodland and San Francique. A wholesale market for agricultural produce was built at Debe and a NHA site developed at Wellington Road.

As a member of the UNC Government, all the main roads in the constituency were rehabilitated including repair of many landslips.  A Caroni Ltd road connecting La Romain to Usine St Madeleine was taken over and reconstructed.  Almost all the secondary roads were repaired and repaved. Sluice gates were constructed on the Blackwater Channel and Coora River. Work commenced on sluice gates and water management programmes on the St John and Trinidad Rivers. An irrigation scheme was completed on agricultural lands between Suchit Trace and Pluck Road. A landing facility for fishing boats was built on the New Cut Channel at Pluck Road. Vending booths were constructed and parking facilities established at Debe and Palmiste.

In addition, two secondary schools were built in the constituency and a national skills centre. Assistance was rendered to many students attending tertiary institutions. A police post was constructed at Debe. Various community centres were built or refurbished at Hermitage, La Fortune, Diamond, Debe and Golconda. An industrial estate project on Caroni Ltd’s lands at Debe was commenced. Many recreation grounds and facilities and religious sites and buildings were established or repaired at Pluck Road, Palmiste, Debe, Harripaul Village, Raghoo Village, Esperance, Ghandi Village and at Tulsa, Suchit, Doorbassa and Antilles Trace. This list could go on and on. A NACTA poll in 2000 adjudged Mr Sudama as the most outstanding MP in terms of service to constituents. One must therefore distinguish partisan propaganda and personal pretext from the undeniable facts and stark reality. This is just a small contribution to this end.

 K DEVI SINGH (Ms)
Port-of-Spain