Within the next three weeks, the Ministry of Local Government will pump over $40 million through short term projects to be undertaken by the 14 regional corporations to boost the local economy in time for the Christmas season. Yesterday, Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma authorised the funding from unspent balances that had accrued over the years for projects to be undertaken in each of the 134 electoral districts in Trinidad.
Tobago, permanent secretary Stephen Creese explained, had a different arrangement.Speaking at a news conference at the San Fernando City Corporation, Creese said this was a special short term project aimed at bringing employment relief during this Yuletide season.
He said each councillor was able to identify programmes of activity, not exceeding $300,000 each, with the aim of advancing infrastructure and services, while providing a measure of employment relief.Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Premchand Sookoo said the $2.7 million allocated for their nine electoral districts, would yield approximately 300 new jobs in the region.
Creece called on the CEO's and chairmen, many of whom were represented at the conference, to ensure equity in the award of contracts scheduled to begin from next Monday and with payment before December 25.Sharma agreed, saying small businesses were responsible for a large percentage of workers and that small businesses should benefit from at least ten per cent of the goods and services being purchased for these projects.
The Minister explained that the $40 million would come from unspent balances accrued over the years.Kadhija Ameen, Chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation said that her corporation did not have enough in unspent balances to cover the $4.5 million required to undertake projects in her 15 districts. She said they would have to dip into the money allocated for the corporation's development programme to undertake road paving, irrigation and drainage programmes.