I observed that members of the PNM were protesting against the relocation of the fire station from Green Street, Arima to the O'meara Industrial Estate, Malabar. On closer examination of the genesis of the relocation plan, it is clear that it was in fact the PNM who was responsible for it.
The move for relocation is based on a request from the fire department to facilitate easier access of emergency services to surrounding areas. A main impetus for the move came in 2002 when a building was constructed on lower Queen Street with a widened sidewalk that encroached on the width of the road, thus hindering the passage of large vehicles including delivery trucks and emergency services including fire engines.
As such, inability to achieve rapid access in times of emergency because of the widened sidewalk infringing on the street width, was a major factor that impaired fire emergency response services.
At that time, representation made to the then PNM Arima council on many occasions came to no avail. Even the present mayor who was serving at that time as a PNM senator and vice president of the Senate intervened, but like the council, failed.
In August 2010, after the PP won the election, and under the management of a new council, the sidewalk was broken and returned to its former width thus allowing room for both parking and for the safe passage of emergency response vehicles once more.
We accomplished in less than 70 days what the PNM allowed to take place and was unable to rectify in the prior seven years. Unfortunately, by the time the access issue was resolved, all plans were set in motion for the relocation of the fire station.
Ghassan Youseph
Former mayor of Arima