LABOUR Minister and La Brea MP Stephen McClashie says crime can throw back progress being made by communnities towards economic development.
He made this statement when he addressed the inaugural La Brea Economic Development Day at Vessigny Secondary School, La Brea, on July 10
The event was a collaboration between McClashie's constituency office and other stakeholders to encourage business development in La Brea.
Some of the stakeholders included the Sport and Community Development Ministry, National Gas Company (NGC), Shell TT Ltd, Trinidad Generation Ltd, Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd and the La Brea Police Youth Club.
McClashie told his audience this project was a timely initiative to bring opportunities to south-west Trinidad to stimulate entrepreneurship and business opportunities.
But he added, "I have to mention a topic that is pretty disturbing."
McClashie said while efforts are being made to create jobs and economic development in La Brea, "we are not immune from crime and criminality."
He recalled that representation has been made by him and his staff to financial institutions to install automated teller machines (ATMs) in La Brea so that consitutents can easily access their money without having to travel to commercial banks outside of La Brea.
McClashie said ATMs were established at two locations in La Brea.
He added this would make it easier for people to access money to do simple things such as buy ice cream.
"But there are some (people) bent on making life difficult for us."
McClashie said some of these people stole one of the ATMs to access the money it contained.
"You may enrich yourself for a night or a day but you throw back a community for years."
While efforts are being made to encourage businesses to invest in La Brea and encourage local entrepreneurship, McClashie said the actions of a few miscreants could discourage this and encourage constituents to spend their money in communities outside of La Brea instead of in it.
He urged constituents to be vigilant when it comes to criminal activities taking place in La Brea.
"If you know something, let us take it to the police and let them deal with it."
McClashie said the opening of the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Pt Fortin earlier this year has created opportunities and challenges for South West Trinidad.
While the highway reduces the commute time from other parts of Trinidad to Pt Fortin and some communities, the route the highway follows bypasses other communities.
He said it was for this reason that entrepreneurs and businesses in these communities need to be innovate and adapt to changing times.
Government, McClashie continued, has been doing its part in this regard by bringing the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) back into La Brea and the Youth Development Ministry has been undertaking a host of programmes to train young people in skills to help them find sustainable jobs.
He urged parents to encourage their children to become involved in these various training programmes.
McClashie told h
