Oropouche MP champions objectives of P Fortin highway

Government remains committed to addressing the concerns of the Highway Re-route Movement and is intent on finding a solution that will be in the best interest of all. So says Stacy Roopnarine, Oropouche West MP, in an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. “The people of South Trinidad have for years accused governments of neglect and we have always cried out for development.

“It is the first time in the history of our country that any government will embark on such a big  project costing over $7 billion, and definitely the first time in our history that a mass infrastructure-development project would be brought to the southern region of Trinidad,” Roopnarine said.

Roopnarine said the highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin would bring benefits for numerous people through creation of employment, ease of accessibility to goods and services in the southwestern peninsula and reduction in traffic. Roopnarine said Government had identified the southwestern peninsula as a “growth pole.”

“We are putting the infrastructure in place to develop this region. “As you know, we have started the construction of the UWI South Campus in Debe. We are currently in the process of identifying a location for a magistrates’ court, and other flagship projects of the Government will also be brought to the south.

“We believe in equal development of T&T and therefore, as we try to develop the country as a whole, we must understand that with progress comes change.” She said the Re-route Movement has identified several concerns connected with environmental, drainage and social issues.

“People are always opposed to change, but one thing we must understand is that there will always be change and in order to progress we must indeed accept change. It is my view that the Government can find a balance between the concerns of the people and the development of our country.”