Newly-elected chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation (PDRC), Gowtam Maharaj, says he will personally ensure residents of the Quinam/Morne Diablo electoral district are not neglected following the death of its councillor, Diptee Ramnath.
Ramanth, who served the PDRC for over 30 years, died at the San Fernando General Hospital on December 22, four months into his tenure as chairman. In a special statutory meeting at the corporation’s Debe administration building, its council elected vice-chairman, alderman Maharaj, as Ramnath’s successor. The council also elected Penal Councillor Shanty Boodram as vice-chairman.
Maharaj said the needs of the people will be at the forefront.
“We will continue to improve on the services to reach everyone that has needs in this region. We have a situation where the Quinam/Morne Diablo seat will be without a councillor. I commit on behalf of this council to serve this electoral district to the fullest. The services will be uninterrupted, and our people’s needs are, first and foremost, our concern,” Maharaj said.
Noting another former chairman, Dr Allen Sammy, previously complained about the lack of funding from the Central Government, Maharaj said resources remain necessary to carry out services. Maharaj said that while the Central Government previously decreased allocations, the PDRC will continue close communication with the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government to receive those appropriations. He said the council will also look at innovative means to care for its burgesses.
He added his priority areas include truck-borne water supplies, as the region has an issue with pipe-borne water reaching some people. He also wants to ensure a more efficient garbage collection and engage in people development initiatives and beautification works but stresses the need for funding to execute these plans.
With the region prone to floods, Maharaj said it remains a major problem as a significant part lies within the Oropouche River basin. Therefore, the PDRC needs to work with other ministries. Maharaj said the Ministry of Planning and Development indicated a monthly multi-sectoral allocation programme that would see the construction of retention ponds and the development of waterways. He said they will aggressively pursue these along with short-term measures like floodgate maintenance through the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Meanwhile, new vice chair Boodram said she has been with the UNC for 30 years and will continue to serve her fifth consecutive term as a councillor. She said UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has always been about empowering women and thanked her for allowing her to serve as the first woman vice-chairman of the PDRC.
She also offered condolences to Ramnath’s family on his passing, saying he worked hard and did a lot for the region.