While the Government says it’s time for discussions on a national development plan to treat with at-risk youths in certain urban areas—particularly Port-of-Spain “hotspots”—the Opposition has suggested consideration of national service for such youths to save them from a life of crime.
The respective positions were given at yesterday’s senate session by PNM government senator Foster Cummings and UNC opposition senator Gerald Hadeed. Contributions arose during debate on an opposition motion calling on the Government to note the United Nations’ sustainable development goals and implement them.
Cummings noted the murders of two Laventille youths last week. He said when one looked at youths in Port-of-Spain’s outskirts, national discussion ranged from people casting blame to questioning how it could have happened.
“It all points to the question of poverty and education.”
Noting a recommendation on the issue had once been made in Parliament “by someone” and had received criticism Cummings said maybe it’s now time to pay attention to at-risk youths in certain urban centres in Trinidad and for national discussion on a development plan specifically targetting the areas that various reports usually refer to as at-risk areas.
He added, “On one hand we continue giving a lot of attention to negatives coming out of these areas. But when it comes to discussion on how we treat with it, you get criticisms when there is focus on how we target the special problem and everyone knows there is a problem.
“So it’s time for us to engage with the assistance of the media, on discussions how do we target and deal with the special problems in certain urban sectors in T&T. Am I talking about Sea Lots and Katanga? Am I talking about Laventille and Morvant? I think we could all answer these questions.”
Hadeed, who spoke before Cummings, said the Government must find ways to encourage youngsters towards more productive ways of life.
“I was passing through an area, which I wouldn’t name, when I saw a sign reading ‘Join a gang, it’s better than a family’. I asked Rev Fabbister David who was with me if he’d seen it. He said it had been there so long,” Hadeed added.
Calling for the Government and Opposition to work together on the crime issue, he added, “If there are divisions in Parliament, it’ll also be divided outside.”
Hadeed said the Government seemed on a path of confrontation, governing without consultation which wouldn’t assist in solving issues. “At some point and very soon the people won’t listen to you (Government) continuing to blame the PP. They’ll say if things are wrong, you should fix them because that’s why they put you in power. The people will judge you by your actions.
Hadeed said upcoming VAT on zero-rated items would affect the poor and should have been placed on luxury items for those who could afford it, not staples.
Saying hard times would be harder for the poor, he suggested assistance for single mothers, the poor and vulnerable and an increase of the School Feeding Programme to assist such mothers and fathers who needed it.
On Hadeed’s appeals for the Couva Children’s Hospital to be opened, Cummings said at the appropriate time the building would be put to suitable use for Central and T&T citizens. Cummings also raised questions about “millions” worth of poor quality pipe which he claimed was lying in a Chaguanas yard for several years, unused. (GA)