Senator concerned about enforcement

“What we have observed (is that) it has been more ineffective than effective,” he commented. He also reported that residents of Valsayn South had complained about the destruction of a house in the area and the setting up of a SuperPharm outlet but permission had been granted by a government minister.

He was contributing to Senate debate on Tuesday on the Planning and Facilitation Bill. Mahabir noted there was the potential for abuse in the bill by the minister. He recalled that a “lovely house” in Valsayn was to be demolished and a SuperPharm constructed in its place. He noted that the residents attempted to take the issue to Court only to be informed that a minister had granted permission. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan urged him to reveal the name of the minister but he noted that while he knew the name of the business due to the large signage “the minister may have disappeared”.

He noted that illegal quarrying has led to environmental damage on the San Fernando Hill and on the Northern Range and expressed hope that the bill will lead to the sustainability that the Town and Country Planning Division has failed to enforce. He also noted that the residents experience a number of problems including: people setting up garages, using petrol and doing welding; using fencing material that reduce the air supply to neighbours; erection of cellular towers; and developers blocking waterways and diverting watercourses. He noted that residents of Woodbrook have been complaining that their neighbourhood has been “overrun” by business establishments, including by home owners who “brazenly” put up signs. He said the construction of homes on hillsides in north Trinidad has led to unprecedented flooding.

Mahabir stressed that while they might pass good law there was a need for political will to ensure compliance to improve the welfare of citizens. On the compulsory acquisition of land in the bill he said that a mechanism for compensation should be established and noted that there had been contention from some people being removed for the Point Fortin Highway project. On the penalties for bribes in the legislation he suggested that be extended to other officers such as customs and excise, income tax collection officers and transportation officers “who charge you $500 to get a driver’s licence”. He also suggested a compliance unit be established with one officer for every regional corporation.

Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi in his contribution noted that Clause 59 of the bill would affect squatters as it calls for the use of the land to be immediately discontinued.