Mayor launches Independence drive to beautify Sando

San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali has started tearing down illegal billboards in the city. He has also embarked on a drive to “beautify” San Fernando. In collaboration with T&TEC, on Monday, Coffee Street was decorated with a canopy of red, white and black bunting, stretching from Standards Distributors from Navet Road, to the top of Cipero and Coffee Streets.

Muradali said bunting will be placed on Cipero and High Streets and Harris Promenade as well as Marabella, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of independence and will continue for city celebrations in November, right down to Christmas. An independence “cultural village” is also expected to be opened at the South National Academy of the Performing Arts from August 24-26.

Yesterday, under the eyes of the City Police, San Fernando City Corporation workers started removing illegal billboards near Gulf View. The iron posts holding up a billboard for a balloon company on Padmore Street, and another advertising an auto parts and services company on Lady Hailes Avenue were cut with a welding torch and taken away.

Muradali explained that the council decided last week to remove all illegal signs in the city. He said this followed months of notices telling the owners to remove them. “We have been, for the past year, issuing notices to persons who have put up these signs, and they have constantly disregarded that.

“Last week the council took a decision to remove these billboards, which, apart from being illegal, are unsightly. We have started in the Gulf View area, and the exercise is ongoing.” The mayor said approval must be obtained from the Town and Country Division and the City Corporation before billboards can be installed.