Author: moradmin
Media Release
Inter-agency Team monitors mud volcano eruptions, alert level at the lowest
February 13, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Following three confirmed eruptions of the mud volcano at Devil’s Woodyard, New Grant, Princes Town from as early as 4:20 a.m. today, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government is confirming that the alert level for the site is currently level 1—the lowest on its disaster management scale— which means the volcano is in a state where it poses no immediate danger to human life and there is so far no indication, based on seismic and other tests, that a hazardous eruption is imminent.
“There has been some structural damage to the surrounding road but there’s a vast distance between the mud volcano and the nearest homes,” said Rishi Siew, the senior coordinator at the ministry’s disaster management unit. “A level 1 alert really means the regional corporation can handle the incident at this time since the volcanic activity does not disrupt or threaten the life or livelihood of any person or community.”
The ministry’s Level 1 rating is bolstered by the fact that air quality tests conducted by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) at the New Grant site have so far returned normal results with only minimal traces of nitrogen dioxide detected.
The EMA is part of an interagency team which includes officials of the Princes Town Regional Corporation, the Seismic Unit of the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT), and the ministry ’s disaster management unit who are working alongside police and fire officers on site to conduct air quality, seismic and other tests and put measures in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area.
Such measures include the temporary closure at approximately 10 o’clock this morning of the Hindustan Road in New Grant to vehicular and pedestrian traffic except to people who live in the area. The police also put residents of some 25 homes with proximity to the mud volcano on notice should a full-scale evacuation become necessary.
Further, in the event of an evacuation, the ministry and its partners at the regional corporation took a decision early today to activate and equip three shelters at the Hindustan Government Primary School, the Hindustan Presbyterian School and the Hindustan Community Centre, all of them well outside the “hot zone.”
Meanwhile, acting Minister of Rural Development and Local Government and Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat cut short Carnival engagements to visit the New Grant site in person late Tuesday.
Minister Rambharat is urging both residents and members of the public not to visit the New Grant mud volcano until there’s official word that it is safe to do so.
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Media Release
Applications Invited for Garbage Collection Services Until February 16, 2018
February 6th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, through the engagement of the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited, is continuing the selection process for garbage collection contractors for the fourteen (14) Municipal Corporations. Contractors will be sorted into three categories:
- Small – Contractors with five or less trucks
- Medium – Contractors with six to fifteen trucks
- Large – Contractors with sixteen trucks and more
Application packages may be purchased at the SWMCOL Procurement Unit, #34 Independence Avenue, Port of Spain, and must be submitted by Friday 16th February, 2018. Minister Haji Kazim Hosein stated, “So far we have received approximately 300 applications from over 120 companies, so we can see that the process is working and contractors of all sizes are responding. Our aim is to create opportunities within every community for people who want to work. Even someone with just one truck can apply and have a chance to be selected. This is precisely what local government reform is about.”
During the tender evaluation process, the Municipal Corporations will be assisting SWMCOL with the inspection of vehicles and facilities of potential contractors, as well as the preparation of route packages to match the capacity of the contractors.
The MoRDLG through the Municipal Corporations is committed to improving garbage collection services and assures that the service will continue uninterrupted while the procurement process is underway. For further details, interested applicants can email the Procurement Manager, SWMCOL at cdoyle@swmcol.co.tt. Pre-qualification documents can be viewed at www.swmcol.co.tt
Media Release
Minister Haji Kazim Hosein attends first Statutory Meeting of 2018 in the City of San Fernando
February 2nd, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein along with Ministry officials attended the Statutory Meeting of the San Fernando City Corporation on Wednesday. This was the first Statutory Meeting held by the Council for 2018, and the ninth Municipal Corporation Statutory Meeting that has been attended by the Ministry. Statutory Meetings take place in every Municipal Corporation on the last Wednesday of each month and are open to the public.
Proceedings in San Fernando began with the observance of a moment of silence for the passing of former president of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago George Maxwell Richards as well as the mother of former Minister of Local Government Chandresh Sharma, Mrs. Shanthi Devee Sharma.
Minister Haji Kazim Hosein updated the Members of Council and Administration on the recently completed preliminary recruitment process for Municipal Police Constables conducted by the Statutory Authorities Service Commission. Increasing the complement of the Municipal Police Service is one pillar of local government reform, Minister Hosein stated, further saying, “We will grow the Municipal Police service to be 1,107 officers strong, and restore the sense of citizen safety and security in every community.”
The Minister also outlined the ongoing selection process for garbage selection services, for which the Ministry has engaged the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL). This process will now allow small contractors, with only truck, the opportunity to gain employment within their community.
Both these initiatives by the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government are components local government reform. These and other elements continue to move forward as the Ministry awaits the finalization of the legislative amendments required for full implementation.
Minister Hosein reiterated his commitment to working with the Council in San Fernando and all Municipalities saying, “Reaching the people, in every corner of the island, is the biggest component of local government reform. And together, we will get it done.”
Media Release
Selection Process for Garbage Collection Services Opens New Opportunities for Rural Communities
January 24th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has engaged the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) for the procurement of garbage collection services for the fourteen (14) Municipal Corporations. Contractors will be sorted into three categories:
- Small – Contractors with five or less trucks
- Medium – Contractors with six to fifteen trucks
- Large – Contractors with sixteen trucks and more
Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein has said, “This type of selection is being employed to give all contractors, even the small ones with just one truck, a chance to bid within their community. With this initiative, we aim to create avenues for people to work and thrive right within their communities. An integral part of local government reform is local job creation, while improving service delivery in all areas, and bridging the gap in service delivery that has long existed for many rural communities. This is just one of the components of the Reform that we are moving forward. ”
Efficient garbage collection is an integral service contracted by the Municipal Corporations. SWMCOL has been engaged to guide this process to ensure that all selection criteria is met and that the best suited contractors will be assigned in their respective communities.
The MoRDLG through the Municipal Corporations is committed to improving garbage collection services and assures that the service will continue uninterrupted while the procurement process is underway. Interested applicants may collect pre-qualification documents at the SWMCOL Procurement Unit, #34 Independence Avenue, Port of Spain, or email the Procurement Manager, SWMCOL at cdoyle@swmcol.co.tt for further details. Pre-qualification documents can be viewed at www.swmcol.co.tt
Media Release
Minister Kazim Hosein appeals to Public Health Departments and Litter Wardens to enforce laws against illegal dumping
January 22nd, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein is calling on the Public Health Departments and Litter Wardens in all fourteen (14) Municipal Corporations to tackle the problem of illegal dumping across the country. “Recent posts to social media, such as the one showing individuals dumping tyres on the roadside, indicate that illegal dumping is a rampant problem in this country, and that the perpetrators have blatant disrespect for both our environment and our laws. I have reached out to the Corporations to ensure that the Public Health Departments and Litter Wardens will investigate this, and all cases of illegal dumping, find the responsible parties, and bring them to justice.”
Illegal dumping, along with being unsightly, brings with it a host of public health problems, such as encouraging breeding grounds for mosquitoes, rodents and other vermin, creating hazardous spaces close to residential areas, blocking watercourses and rivers, and causing fire hazards. These spaces also attract continued indiscriminate dumping.
Minister Hosein urges all citizens to continue reporting instances of illegal dumping to their Municipal Corporations in order to keep our communities clean and restore our sense of national pride. He further reminds the public to use only authorized dump sites to maintain the cleanliness and safety of our surroundings.
Media Release
Minister Kazim Hosein attends the Municipal Police Screening in Arima
January 21st, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Yesterday, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein accompanied by Assistant Commissioner of Municipal Police Brian Headley, Senior Superintendent of Municipal Police Carlisle Huggins and Port of Spain Municipal Police Superintendent Glen Charles attended the screening process for Municipal Police Constables in the Borough of Arima which took place at the Arima New Government School.
Mayor of Arima, Her Worship Councillor Lisa Morris-Julian thanked Minister Hosein for coming out to the Screening Process in Arima saying, “One of the highlights of today was the Honourable Minister’s visit and his personal interest in the application process which meant a lot to the applicants, members of Council and by extension the burgesses.”
Inspector of the Arima Municipal Police Ms. Preito who was in charge of the section that dealt with the ‘Physical Requirements for Recruits’ expressed her enthusiasm saying, “The current complement of Municipal Police Officers in Arima are extremely eager for the new addition to the force since our last successful recruitment for the Borough is approximately 8 years old.” Inspector Prieto further stated, “Today’s Screening Process went smoothly and was well-organized. However, a few applicants mixed up the requirements from Public Service Commission (PSC) and Statutory Authorities Service Commission (SASC) but they were given the opportunity to return within one month with the necessary paperwork. We were pleased to see the Minister and the Mayor of Arima very much involved in this phase of the recruitment as they visited each booth and conversed with the applicants.”
Over 600 applicants from as far as Toco, Sangre Grande, San Fernando, in addition to Tunapuna, Arima and environs were screened for the position of Municipal Police Constable (Range 21/24C). Reports confirmed that 437 applicants were successful, 131 were unsuccessful and 41 applicants received a month to adjust their respective paperwork for the application to be completed as per the requirements from SASC.
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Media Release
Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government beginning countrywide tour of infrastructural projects
January 19th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein along with officials from the Ministry will begin touring completed, ongoing and proposed project sites for infrastructure to be developed in every Municipality under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). The first stop will be in the Princes Town Regional Corporation on Monday 22nd January, 2018.
Minister Kazim Hosein stated, “In this financial year, we intend to use all PSIP funding to improve local infrastructure – roads, drains and bridges – especially in rural areas. We plan to start a Wooden Bridge Replacement Programme in which we will install Bailey Bridges in place of dilapidated wooden bridges which have been evaluated as critical. This will improve the physical connectivity across the country and increase road safety in your local communities. As we review these projects and proposed sites, we want to connect with the people who reside and commute in the area, to ensure that these are the benefits that are most needed in the community. Local Government is perhaps the most direct connection that the government as a whole has to the people of the country, and this is one way that we are bringing local government closer to you.”
The effort will continue in the coming weeks until all fourteen (14) Municipal Corporations have been visited. The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has been in contact with each Mayor and Chairman to compile the list of works that have been recently completed, are in progress, or have been proposed and approved by Council, to ensure that the PSIP funding is being utilized to the maximum benefit of the burgesses of the country.
Media Release
Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government assists over 90 socially displaced persons with “Sharing a Meal” event at the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons
January 15th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein indicated that yesterday’s event entitled ‘Sharing a Meal with the Homeless’ touched over 90 persons who reside on the streets of San Fernando and surrounding areas.
Prior to the event, Minister Hosein along with the Mayor of San Fernando His Worship Alderman Junia Regrello and representatives from the Ministry walked through the streets of San Fernando to extend a personal invitation to homeless persons in the city and surrounding areas.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government partnered with the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP), the San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), members of the business community, corporate volunteers and NGO groups to host a ‘Day of Care’ for the homeless persons. During the event, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Senator the Hon. Haji Kazim Hosein, Attorney General and MP for San Fernando West the Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, and Minister of Social Development and Family Services the Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn alongside San Fernando Mayor Alderman Junia Regrello and Councillor for Springvale/Paradise Naigum Joseph, assisted volunteers of the NGO group ‘Revival of the Ummah’ with serving meals to the displaced persons.
Minister Haji Kazim Hosein assured members of the public that this provision will be a continuous one saying, “I have spoken with the Mayor of San Fernando and he has given me his word that this Centre will be used as an avenue for persons and groups to drop food, clothes and other basic necessities to help the homeless. At least twice for the week, the homeless can come and get food at the Centre and as awareness grows we expect this to become a day-to-day provision.”
Minister Hosein commended the spirit of volunteerism exuded by corporate volunteers, NGOs, religious organisations and members of the business communities and encouraged citizens to continue giving back saying, “I encourage persons to visit the Centre and drop of meals or even come and share a meal with the homeless because every effort counts and together we can make this initiative a continuous one that ensures that these displaced persons have a hot meal on a regular basis.” Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn also expressed her Ministry’s commitment to providing support for the homeless population, laying out a phased plan that will incorporate the provision of shelter, rehabilitation and skills training.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government expresses heartfelt thanks to our volunteers from the San Fernando City Corporation, the San Fernando Volunteer Network, the Revival of the Ummah (ROU), the ASH-NAD Foundation, Civilian Conservation Corps, McClean Pro Hair Cutting System, Anayah’s Mediterranean Grill, Hideout Signs, SM Jaleel, Kiss Baking Company, Unilever, Nandlal’s & Sons, Detour Stores, John Corp, Millennium Printers, Mr. Clyde Mohammed, Lions Club of San Fernando and the Rotary Club of San Fernando.
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Media Release
Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government pushes for the opening of the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons with a Day of Care
January 12th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – After several pleas from members of the business community and the displaced persons to the San Fernando City Corporation, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Haji Kazim Hosein along with corporate volunteers have decided to host an inaugural event at the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP) entitled “Sharing a Meal with the Homeless”.
This event will take place on Sunday 14th January, 2018 at the planned Waterfront Development on Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government in collaboration with the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP), the San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), members of the business community, corporate volunteers and NGO groups have come together to provide showers, barbering services, clothing, survival kits, basic medical services in addition to sharing a meal with the displaced persons in the City of San Fernando and surrounding areas. Minister Hosein applauded the continued efforts from Corporate Trinidad and volunteers for their overwhelming support, and encouraged them to give back to the less fortunate in their communities. “Homeless persons are among the most vulnerable groups in our society and we must do our part to ensure that they are treated with dignity and compassion. With this event, we hope to set an example of humanitarianism that our youth can learn from and continue in the future. We intend to regularly host events like this which reach out to all corners of the community and touch the lives of every person.”
Minister Haji Kazim Hosein further assured continuity of this venture saying, “Our volunteers continue to demonstrate the true spirit of volunteerism by providing their services on several occasions to assist persons across the country who are less fortunate. I want to commend all corporate volunteers, NGOs and the youth who continue to give of their time and effort for these worthy causes. This Centre will be an avenue opened to those who are interested in feeding the homeless to come and share a hot meal with them in a more accommodating location.”
“Don’t give to get. Give to inspire others to give.” – Simon Sinek.