The San Fernando boardwalk was closed to the public yesterday after bandits stole all eight solar-powered batteries used for lighting it.The theft has left the $700,000 lighting project useless and the area a security risk."This is not a safe area at all," mayor Kazim Hosein told reporters yesterday when he visited the boardwalk as he toured the city with deputy mayor Junia Regrello, corporation CEO Willa Guy-Straker and members of the council.
Ordering the boardwalk closed, Hosein said it was a safety hazard, as no barriers have been installed to protect people from traffic veering off the nearby Lady Hailes Avenue and crashing into it. He said that was a serious danger."We have to close it. The public should not use this area as yet untilwe put safety measures in place for that,"Hosein said.City engineer Ramesh Sookdeo, who was part of the tour, assured the mayor barriers would be constructed, but said Lady Hailes Avenue had to be widened first.
Hosein said until then the boardwalk would remain closed."It is not safe...I will not like anybody to come here without a wall being built here," he declared.The boardwalk was the mayor's second stop on the tour, which began at the Roodal Cemetery. He said the cemetery was in need of upgrade and the roads need to be rehabilitated.
While touring the boardwalk, Hosein was surprised to hear all the batteries for the solar lighting fixtures had been stolen. He pointed to the poor-quality panels that the batteries were housed in, saying they were poorly secured.One of the panels was still padlocked at one end, even though the battery was missing.He said he intended to get security for the boardwalk.
Hosein also said he intends to get owners of vacant lots and dilapidated buildings in the city to clean up their property or tear down their buildings.On Monday, he will make a decision on street vending on High Street. He said the vendors presented a proposal to the council asking to be relocated to the San Fernando Central Market, but he has to discuss the proposal with his council before making a decision.
The mayor said after his meeting with San Fernando Business Association president Daphne Bartlett last week, he wrote to National Security Minister Gary Griffith to request joint army and police patrols on High Street to be reintroduced for Christmas. He is still waiting for a response.But Hosein assured: "We have the city police and we have the central police. We have given the commitment to patrol the streets to make it safer for citizens."