Community Development Minister Nizam Baksh is considering introduction of "self-help" housing schemes for poor people in his constituency. Speaking at an awards function at the Haji Ralph Khan auditorium at Borde Narve, Princes Town, on Tuesday night, Baksh said he intended to lobby local and international associations to get assistance for the needy. He said with the closure of the sugar industry, dozens of families were negatively affected and were now living in squalor.
"While Government handouts can be meaningful, we must also look at ways and means through which people can help themselves," Baksh said. He said he planned to speak to the non-governmental organisation, Habitat for Housing, to see whether housing schemes could be built for the poor under the National Commission for Self-Help. "We could have eight to 15 families contribute towards building their own homes. When we help each other we learn to stick together as a family," Baksh said.
The minister said discussions would be held about providing jobs for people left unemployed following the closure of the sugar industry. He added: "We can provide opportunities at UTT where we can train them and equip them with different skills, such as fish-rearing. Talapia and cascadoo can be reared in water tanks. For those people who are squatting. We can provide land tenure to them so that they can contribute towards development."
The minster explained that Government would continue to provide opportunities for the poor so they could become self-sufficient. During the function, T&T Guardian's senior journalist Radhica Sookraj received an award for dedication and enterprise in the field of journalism. Cameramen Ivan Toolsie, from Cable News Channel Three (CNC3), and CNMG's Sookdeo Baney received awards for excellence in their fields, along with businessman Shaffiyat Ali, Danny Gokool, attorney Petronella Basdeo and Ashmead Ali, who were lauded for contributing towards the development of the constituency.