1 week ago
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Lead Editor – Newsgathering
Independence celebrations across the country will look differently this year, as some regional corporations have opted for minor events to mark the occasion of the nation’s 63rd anniversary after Government cancelled the Independence Day Parade.
Guardian Media reached out to all 14 regional corporations yesterday, nine of which responded on their plans for Independence Day.
Port-of-Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne said the City Corporation will be partnering with Pan Trinbago to host Pan on De Avenue on Independence might. When asked about the impact of the cancellation of Independence Day celebrations in the capital city, he added, “I think that people are very disappointed that the parade has been cancelled. There’s still some clarification that I think is needed, and I’ve heard the Opposition Leader ask for some clarification on the reasons why, and we are waiting to see what explanations are given. But that notwithstanding, we will have fun on the avenue on Independence night.”
In San Fernando, Mayor Robert Parris said the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) council will meet this week to discuss plans for next Monday, the Independence Day holiday.
Parris said, “I understand the decision made by the Prime Minister and the Government but, certain traditions where it is that we all celebrate as one is something that should take a different type of thinking and that certainly that people of San Fernando would want to celebrate in some way, shape or form, even if it is not a parade.”
The Princes Town Regional Corporation (PTRC) will hold an inter-faith service at its office next Monday. The PTRC will invite all the faith leaders from around the region to a service similar to what the Government will be hosting, according to Chairman, Gowrie Roopnarine. The PTRC will also have a back-to-school drive to assist families ahead of the reopening of schools.
However, while the two major cities are pursuing ways to mark the country’s independence, other heads of Regional Corporations say the lack of funds means they will forego any idea of events in their towns.
Arima Mayor, Balliram Maharaj, said Government must run the country like a business and look at the financial consequences of its decisions. He said the Arima Borough Corporation had to cancel its Independence Day parade because it costs $250,000. He said, “I think there is a fairness to both governments, to both party and opposition. They all have to proceed with caution. We are trying to do some cheaper and effective things to probably have a gospel show, and to find a way we could get candle lights or something to replace them if you don’t have the money.”
Chaguanas Mayor, Faaiq Mohammed, said, “What we had in mind was a modest community event. However, due to a shortfall in allocation, those funds were redirected to critical flood mitigation works. Today, we can celebrate the fact that these measures have helped to minimize the impact of recent flooding in Chaguanas.”
Chairman of the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, Richard Walcott, said, “We are not planning anything. This corporation has no funding because the government has not given us any funding on the goods and services for the past four months. Therefore, we have no funds whatsoever to have any independence celebration.”
Siparia Mayor, Doodnath Mayrhoo, said localising the Independence Day celebrations would be difficult given the challenging financial circumstances of the regional corporations.
“The economic situation in the country doesn’t permit all 14 corporations to do these events because it will come up to a large sum of money, and we are already fighting up with the little resources that was given by the previous government to Borough Corporations.”
Meanwhile, Diego Martin Mayor Akeliah Glasgow-Warner said the borough usually doesn’t host events because the main event is in the capital city. However, she added that funding remains the main issue when it comes to such events.
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