Fun-fair a waste of land

THE EDITOR: Sometime ago, the former Caroni Ltd leased land near the Woodford Lodge factory to a fun-fair despite the protests of Chaguanas burgesses that the Montrose APS Vedic Primary School was bursting at the seams and desperately needed additional space. The then company secretary assured the nation that the lease was for a one year period although the lessors had already fenced the area and had begun site preparation for permanent use. More than two years later, the fun-fair still occupies the area with no sign of leaving and the Montrose Vedic School continues to suffer cramped accommodation.

Sure, there are plans to relocate the school — these plans have been around for ages — but isn’t it strange that plans for public institutions take forever to come to fruition while decisions in respect of private business, like fun-fairs, are executed immediately? Isn’t it even stranger how easily these private enterprises can access public property, or at least property belonging to a state enterprise? Isn’t it stranger still that while the fun-fair owner makes preparation for permanent occupation the former workers at Caroni Ltd are still waiting for land for housing and agriculture to be distributed.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH
Carapichaima