Give peace a chance. This was the call made yesterday by Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodan and councillor for the Enterprise North/Esmeralda district Lisa Holder yesterday following a promise of peace between two warring factions in Enterprise last Friday.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian during a prayer service called by the St Ann’s Church of Spiritual Metaphysics under the auspices of Foster Cummings, People’s National Movement Senator, both Boodan and Holder asked that the public be patient and accept that there is peace in the community.
On Friday, head of the Unruly Isis gang, Abdul Wakeel, said he will now longer be referred to as “Krysis” as he apologised to the Government and the country and asked that he be forgiven.
A video of Wakeel chanting with violent lyrics re-surfaced earlier this year amidst killings of Enterprise men. It was alleged that Wakeel and his men were at war with the relatives of Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis who was killed in July last year and two of Alexis’ brother killed months after. Wakeel said his group, which operate mostly out of Crown Trace, shall now be referred to as belonging to Masjidus Salaam (The Masjid of Peace).
Alexis’ son Kerron was supposed to have been at a press conference held at Southern Hall, Centre Point Mall, Chaguanas, but did not attend citing he had issues trusting the venue and the parties involved. There was an understanding then that the two sides would return to peace.
Addressing the idea of peace in his borough, Boodan said he is of the belief that the peace will last adding that any organisation with the aim to do such will have the full support of the borough corporation.
“You have to give people an opportunity, if someone errs, they have to be given a chance to change. At the end of the day the community have to come together, we have to give peace a chance, how else will we know if it will work” Boodan said.
Holder when asked if she believed the ceasefire would be sustained said yes. She added that along with the prayers of the community, there was the launch of the Accepting Change Unique to Transforming Everyone (ACUTE) Life Foundation, a homework centre backed by the National Security Ministry, and a football and cricket tournament in the area for the Easter weekend.
“The Citizens Security Programme, the Police Youth Club and the Village Council are all teaming up to do all that is necessary to bring Enterprise back to a safe haven, we are stronger together.
“It is never to late for the intervention of God and humanity we will pray for our brothers. I am optimistic that the parties involved realise what has happened to the community and to the country and are trying to make a change and I am willing to give them a chance,” Holder said.
Yesterday’s prayer service was held at Jim Roy Wise Park, at the corner of Crown Trace and Enterprise Street, Enterprise, Chaguanas and began at 6.30 am ending three hours later.
In addressing the crowd, made up of mostly Spiritual Baptist members, Cummings said a foundation will be officially launched to tackle many of the social ills in the community after Easter.
This foundation, Enterprise Development Foundation, will be the first of many Cummings hopes to establish in impoverished communities and pledged $10,000 to kick start it.
The foundation, he said, will identify the vulnerable the ones who want to make a difference and assist them as he called on others to lend their expertise and financial aid to the foundation once it has been established. The foundation will be chaired by Ray Braithwaite.
