Category: Media Release

Media Release

Minister Kazim Hosein appeals to Public Health Departments and Litter Wardens to enforce laws against illegal dumping

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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.

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Minister Kazim Hosein attends the Municipal Police Screening in Arima

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Media Release

Joining hands through the spirit of volunteerism to share a meal with the Homeless

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January 6th, 2018, Kent House, Maraval – On Sunday 14th January, 2018 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), San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), Members of the Business Community, Corporate volunteers and NGO groups across Trinidad will be embarking on a community outreach event entitled, “Sharing a meal with the Homeless”.

As we commence the New Year with renewed hope and continued service to the people, Minister Haji Kazim Hosein encourages citizens to continue to showcase the spirit of volunteerism in their everyday activities saying, “Service to Mankind is Service to God; it is always heart-warming to see persons, especially the youth giving back to the elderly, homeless and persons who are less fortunate in our society. I encourage religious organisations, corporate volunteers and the younger generation to continue giving selflessly through the spirit of volunteerism as we work together to make a better country for all our citizens”. This initiative is one of the many collaborations that the Ministry is embarking on as we aim to empower the young people to adopt a compassionate approach to the less fortunate in society.

Thus far, we have received overwhelming support from the ASH-NAD foundation, Revival of the Ummah, Dumore Enterprises, JohnCorp, the San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), Kiss Baking Company, SM Jaleel, Unilever, Puff n’ Stuff, Nichossa, Naisa Foods as well as numerous citizens across the country.

Basic medical check-ups, barbering services, care packages, a hot bath in addition to sharing brunch with the homeless persons in San Fernando and environs are just some of the activities that we have planned for the ‘Day of Care’ on Sunday 14th January at the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP) on Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando from 9:00am – 12:00pm..

As we aim to make this initiative a continuous one; we are calling on all NGOs, CBOs, corporate volunteers, religious organisations and volunteer groups to show their support in this venture by volunteering to share a meal with the homeless in your region during this New Year.

For more information on how you can assist in this event, feel free to contact the National Volunteer Network Coordinator, Mr. Matthew Kailah at 314-6481 or Ms. Leah Balkaran at 622-1669 (Ext. 3112).

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Media Release

Minister Kazim Hosein assesses the flooding situation in the Mayaro/Rio Claro Region

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January 1st, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein along with the MP for Mayaro, Mr. Rushton Paray, Permanent Secretary Ms. Desdra Bascombe, Senior Disaster Management Coordinator, Mr. Rishi Siew and members of the technical team from the Ministry are coordinating efforts with Chairman Glen Ram and Councillors of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation to bring relief to the residents who have been affected by the heavy rainfall.

Minister Haji Kazim Hosein encouraged citizens to be their brother’s keeper and commence the New Year with good actions saying, “As we start 2018, let us bring renewed hope to those who are less fortunate, to the elderly and to the homeless in our society. I encourage you to extend a helping hand to your neighbours or an elderly person in your community who may reside alone during this period of continuous rainfall; Service to Mankind is service to God and there is always a rewarding feeling when you help others in times of need so I urge you to do good and give back.”

Subsequent to the Ortoire River bursting its bank, the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation’s Disaster Management Unit are out on the field conducting assessments in order to efficiently address the current flooding situation. Reports also indicate that the water levels has begun receding as rains have ceased at this time in the Mayaro region. MP for the area, Mr. Rushton Paray says, “Preparation is key to managing the issue of flooding; we must educate the population and change the culture of the way we treat issues such as these”.

Minister Hosein continued to encourage citizens to make use of the 24-hour Hotlines Numbers saying, “All 14 Municipal Corporations have a 24-hr Disaster Management Hotline number and as first responders they remain committed to assisting their burgesses during disasters such as flooding. In case of an emergency such as fallen trees, landslides, or flooding feel free to utilize these hotlines; they have been set up for you the public to have first-hand communication with the people on the ground.”

Citizens are kindly advised to be vigilant and proceed with caution when traversing areas with reports of flooding.

 

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Media Release

Minister Kazim Hosein encourages citizens to report illegal dumping

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January 1st, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – After traversing through severely impacted areas such as Caroni, Woodland, Barrackpore, St. Helena, Piarco, Caparo, Sangre Grande and Rio Claro, one of the contributors leading to flooding was identified as illegal dumping of garbage into the major drains and waterways.

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government and Acting Minister of Works and Transport Haji Kazim Hosein is urging citizens to take heed and report any cases of illegal dumping to their respective Municipal Corporations saying, “Illegal dumping is a serious issue and we as a people must work together to stop persons from throwing garbage through their car windows, on the roads and especially in waterways. Improper disposal of debris is one of the leading causes of flooding as the garbage causes drains to become clogged and prevents the run-off of water. In order for this problem to be resolved, we must obey the laws of our country and properly dispose our garbage.”

Let us be mindful of our surroundings and make every effort to keep our communities and by extension our beloved country clean by reporting illegal dumping and spreading the message of the adverse effects of littering.

 

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