Rural Development and Local Government Minister Karim Hosein yesterday warned that he is taking a tough stance against corruption at the level of regional corporations.
In remarks at the start of the Sangre Grande leg of the National Clean Up Campaign, he said he had received letters of complaints about all 14 corporations and will be writing to chairmen and CEOs about weeding out corrupt practices.
Hosein, a former San Fernando Mayor, said he had heard about instances where people were made to wait several months for approval of house plans. That was very unfair to customers, he warned.
“I will be very stern with this type of behaviour and those found out will be dealt with,” he added
Hosein said he had also received complaints about people who went to regional corporations in times of bereavement and were treated in a most inhumane way.
He said: “Give the people the service that is required of them and learn to treat them with love.”
The minister later told reporters that legislation to reform the local government system was at the Attorney General’s office and would be laid in Parliament soon.
During yesterday’s clean up two of Sangre Grande’s oldest buildings were demolished.
The old Fire Station at the corner of Ojoe Road and Brierley Street and the the old Warden’s Office, located opposite the Sangre Grande Magistratse Court, had once been major landmarks in the community but had become eyesores.
Hundreds of volunteers took part in the exercise.
RALPH BANWARIE
