Although supportive of the $7.2 billion highway extension from Golconda to Point Fortin, members of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce are offended that they were not consulted about its construction.
"We have found that to be an insult to the entire Penal/Debe community," said Rampersad Sieuraj, a past chamber president, in an interview after the group's inaugural ceremony at Paria Suites Hotel, La Romaine, on Monday night.Chamber president Lincoln Ragbirsingh had called on the Ministry of Works and Transport not to go any further with the project until there was dialogue with the chamber.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar turned the sod to begin construction of the long-awaited highway three months ago. Actual construction is yet to begin. Sieuraj said: "It is not to say that they are not aware of us. One would have hoped that they would have been able to come to us in an official manner and give us the recognition that we deserve. We demand as of right that the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce be recognised for the body that it is." Ragbirsingh said the chamber was also not invited to the gala UWI Debe South Campus event last month. He complained that members were not given the recognition or respect they deserve from politicians.
Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, who was listed as the feature speaker at the chamber event but was unavoidably absent, said he did not think the group was an affected stakeholder. The Oropouche East MP said in a telephone interview that the Government had engaged a wide range of residents and community groups in the area. "They have been engaged in detailed and protracted discussions," he said. He said he did not think the chamber would be affected as it did not reside in Suchit or Tulsa Trace and dealt with businessmen in the town area.