La Brea MP calls on Govt: Promote culture to combat crime

La Brea MP Fitzgerald Jeffrey has called on the Government to boost cultural tourism in the south-western peninsula as a means of combating crime, unemployment and depression. He was speaking at the National Energy Corporation’s Secondary Schools Calypso Competition, held at the Point Fortin Town Hall yesterday.

Jeffrey predicted that the high crime level witnessed in Laventille could germinate in the south-western regions. “We have too much depression and unemployment...It is hard for a child to finish school and get no job,” Jeffrey said. He said Point Fortin was rich in cultural tradition, but not enough was being done to invest in youth talent.

Jeffrey said the high level of unemployment was causing young people to leave the region. He said youths must begin to believe in themselves and be proud of the rich legacy of the south-western peninsula. “We have to stand tall and make yourself proud. Self-belief is a problem; we don’t believe in ourselves, even though we have a rich history,” Jeffrey said.

Meanwhile, Point Fortin MP Paula Gopee-Scoon also lauded the participants for their contributions. She called on more private-sector companies to follow NEC and support youth talent. Mayor Clyde Paul said Point Fortin was the culture capital of the country.

“We need to have more investment in our people,” Paul said. Students from several schools, including Fyzabad Anglican, Vessigny Government Secondary, Iere High School, Point Fortin Secondary, Cedros Composite and Fyzabad Composite, took part in the competition.