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Mayor: No taxpayers’ money used for Arima archway

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The ribbon for a $500,000 historical archway on O’Meara Road, Arima is expected to be cut by Arima mayor George Hadeed soon to welcome visitors and beautify the burgeoning borough.

Hadeed assured that no taxpayers’ funds was used in the construction of the towering metal archway, which is one of four to be erected in Arima by supermarket chain Xtra-Foods in the coming months.

In an interview, Hadeed said work on the archway was still needed, as photographs of the late Holly Betaudier, calypsonian Lord Kitchener and the First Peoples will adorn the top, while a $32,000 clock will be fitted in the middle on August 20.

Thereafter an official launch wil take place with a cutting ribbon exercise. The blue and yellow archway, designed in the shape of a crown and built by Cornelius Construction was installed two weeks ago, a stone’s throw from Xtra-Foods Arima branch. 

St James and Tunapuna also have archways. Hadeed praised Xtra Foods for the kind gesture and called on other businesses in the borough to give back to Arima.

“I want to make it clear that no taxpayers dollars was used in the construction of the archway. With the exception of the clock, this was a project fully funded by Xtra-Foods. 

“We are in a highly-charged political environment and there are those who should know better and who are only looking for mischief.”

Hadeed said while the archway was funded by Xtra-Foods, he teamed up with his councillors and generated funds to purchase the clock as a gift to burgesses.

Marketing manager of Xtra-Foods, Daniel Austin, said the archway was part of the supermarket’s corporate responsibility in giving back to its large customer base and to beautify the borough.

“It cost Xtra-Foods over $500,000 to put up this archway.”

Installing the photographs would cost Xtra-Foods a separate fee, which Austin refused to divulge. Discussions on the archway, Austin said, had been in the pipeline for over five years by its management.

“This archway will be the first of four for Arima,”Austin said.

The second archway will be erected heading out of Arima closer to Maturita, another will be placed at the Arima Cemetery on the Eastern Main Road and the fourth will go up on the Blanchisseuse Road. Construction of the three archways is expected to cost Xtra-Foods approximately $2 million.

Austin said the remaining archways would have to go through a series of approvals, which he anticipate would take a while.

“We are eager to deliver on the other archways. But we don’t expect it to happen soon. It may take a few months.”

Austin said with oil and gas prices plummeting, Xtra-Food was putting its resources into tourism, which was one way T&T can diversify the economy.

“We will use the archways as a main tourism attraction. Arima is the only chartered borough in this hemisphere. 

“When someone comes into Arima they must feel a sense of pride and a warm welcome. It will create more commerce in Arima.”


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