Protest for community centre

“For over 20 years we have been seeking a place to house a Community Centre and a playground,” said Christopher Supersad, an executive member of the Village Council and spokesperson for the group. “All we are asking for is a place for our children to play on, and a place for our elders to celebrate occasions like Divali, Emancipation Day, and Christmas.

Our children have been playing in the road.” Supersad said that the land was last promised to them by the former People’s Partnership (PP) government.

Across the road from where residents want the Community Centre and playground built, houses are sprouting up on land that was given to old Caroni workers after the company was closed down. The growing community, said Supersad, further justifies the need for a Community Centre and playground. However, he said, the land where they want the Community Centre constructed was not given to workers and still belongs to the state, but people have been “landgrabbing” and putting the land for their personal use without government permission.

Newsday contacted Member of Parliament for Couva South Rudranath Indarsingh for his response to the residents’ charge that the land was promised by the former PP government. “Since this government has been in power,” said Indarsingh, “I cannot recall any delegation coming or writing any letters about this issue. They are saying that there is an issue of private citizens moving on to the state land, but I would prefer to see what is happening first myself before commenting on it.” Asked whether the Council approached his office prior to the Peoples National Movement’s assumption of office, Indarsingh said, “I am trying to jog my memory here.

I cannot say for sure, but I know that the construction of Community Centres and playing fields are things that Village Councils usually advocate for.”