The Mayaro Chamber of Commerce wants the Government to fast-track the implementation of the relevant legislation to reduce the cost of CCTV cameras. The removal of duties on CCTV equipment was announced by Finance Minster Larry Howai when he presented the 2012-2013 budget as part of a government measure to reduce crime.
Rushton Paray, president of the Mayaro Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes that the legislation for the removal of duties does not run into the new year since many business owners and householders are anxious to have the equipment up and running. He said once the legislation is enacted consumers can pay as much as 40 per cent less for equipment.
Paray said many businesses in the town centre of Mayaro plan to focus CCTV cameras on the main road in a bid keep and extra eye out for criminal elements lurking in the area. He said he was disappointed that Mayaro had been left out of the Government's plan for development, especially the tourism industry. Paray said the south-east peninsula has not been part of any major government policy decision.
He said while the Government continues to pump millions of dollars into the development and upgrade of Maracas and beaches in north Trinidad, the potential of the lengthy Manzanilla-Mayaro stretch of beachfront remains untapped. Paray said once the Government takes the decision to develop a policy for the growth of local tourism in the south-east peninsula, investors would come in. He said apart from tourism the area has potential for expanding it's agricultural outlook.