A far-reaching initiative–Organise for Development–aimed at the sustainable development of wider Mayaro is already taking firm root in the south-east region following its launch just three years ago.
Spearheaded by energy company bpT&T, the new frontier for the development of the south-eastern region is empowering residents to play the major role in charting the future direction of their communities. Another main thrust is the coming together of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) under one umbrella body to facilitate this process.
At the third Community Development Forum held at the bpTT Mayaro Resource Centre last Tuesday, a comprehensive Progress Report was presented to some 200 stakeholders, outlining the measures implemented since the first forum in 2012 and the steps to be taken in the medium and long-term.
A major development at the 2015 forum was the evident collaboration between the energy majors operating in the region in support of the Mayaro sustainable development initiatives. They include Repsol, Trinity Oil, BHP Billiton and National Energy.
The new frontier for the sustainable development of Mayaro is shaped by a Baseline Study which examined bpTT's interventions in the region from 2001. The study was conducted by Dr Roger Hosein, coordinator of the Trade and Economic Development Unit (TEDU), The University of the West Indies.
A major facilitator in the new developmental framework for the region is The Rose Foundation, a non-profit human development civil society organisation headed by Sterling Belgrove.
Former Minister of Energy, Conrad Enill, delivered a "layman" explanation on the process leading to delivery of the national budget and its implications, as well as a short review of the economy and the global energy outlook.
A benchmark was also established on Tuesday with the cutting of a ribbon to formally open the offices of the Mayaro Lead Civil Society Organisations housed in the bpTT Mayaro Resource Centre, Beaumont Road.
Another highlight was the inauguration of two umbrella organisations, Mayaro/Guayaguayare Sporting Committee and Mayaro/Guayaguayare Education Committee. Other committees overseeing different areas of activity are scheduled to come on stream in the near future.
The Mayaro development initiative was given ringing endorsement by MP for Mayaro, Winston Peters, who expressed his pleasure that several of his proposals for "charting this new course" which he submitted at the first community forum in 2012 were already being implemented.
Peters told the audience: "Let me once again commend bpTT for their long-term commitment toward securing sustainable development in Mayaro. Over the years, you have been an outstanding corporate citizen to T&T, and Mayaro in particular.
"Let me also commend the stakeholder organisations for believing in their potential and capacity to make a difference within their communities."
Peters congratulated the representatives for seizing the opportunity to "shape new mindsets and engender a model for structured development of their districts through best practices and other tested models. "You, the stakeholder organisations, have signed on to this declaration as agents for change and advocacy.
Let us continue to forge ahead, building stronger networks and alliances, mobilising our untapped human and natural resources toward the creation of an ideal, independent community governance structure," Peters urged the stakeholders.
Ruan Mitchell, vice-president, Human Resources, bpTT, told the community representatives that they now had a clear vision and plan of where they wanted to go: "You have accomplished a lot. The Baseline Study has demonstrated how our initiatives are impacting on Mayaro.
BpTT is proud to be in the vanguard of this new initiative as we continue to partner with our stakeholders."
Mitchell gave the audience the assurance that the company would continue to play a significant role in the future development of the region despite the change in oil and gas prices.