In five days, Dr Wayne Kublalsingh will begin his second hunger strike if the Prime Minister fails to respond to the Highway Re-route Movement’s (HRM) letter on the Debe to Mon Desir section of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension. This will be his second hunger strike since Government began construction of the highway. It is expected to begin at noon on Wednesday.
Kublalsingh and around 20 members of the HRM marched in a rectangle opposite the side entrance of the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, yesterday. They held placards calling for her to stop construction of the section of the highway and to abide by the Armstrong report which recommended an independent review of that particular section.
The group chanted: “What is your answer?” The chants attracted a few spectators from the OPM but the person whose attention the HRM has been trying to engage has remained silent.
Protesters Speak
Taramatee Chaitoo, a resident of Roots Avenue, Fyzabad, who said the highway was expected to pass through her home, cried as she spoke about the stress on her family and her depression at the thought of moving. Yesterday’s protest was the first time Chaitoo had joined protesters in Port-of-Spain.
She said: “I am here because I am hoping that we don’t have to move. I have nowhere to go. “I was born there, grew up there. I went back there 18 years ago and I have been there ever since. “I am not looking forward to moving plus this thing is really affecting my family, my health. I have my grandchildren there who cry all the time, asking why we are moving, that kind of thing.”
Chaitoo said Kublalsingh had given her hope and despite the tears in her eyes, said she felt better than she used to. “I used to be in a severe depression. I don’t want to lose my home. I don’t want to leave there and go anywhere. “My dad never wanted to leave either but he passed away last year. He said he would rather die than move. “I don’t want to lose my home. I don’t want to lose my home,” she repeated.
Kenneth Sookram, who has lived at Siparia Old Road since 1977, said before the election Persad-Bissessar had promised residents she would not let the highway destroy their homes. “She said in meetings that when she became Prime Minister she would not build any highway on our property but she has failed to honour her promise. We feel betrayed.” Sookram said he was willing to support the hunger strike. “If that is the way we must go, we will go that way. I hope we do not have to go the 21 days without an answer.” Sookram will participate in the hunger strike for the first 24 hours.