Just under one hour to go for the highly anticipated showdown of the grab for power of the Senior Citizens Home, Point Fortin, tension is high as the Security Officer has in his possession a list of persons who can enter to attend this afternoon’s meeting. Several persons who are claiming to be members, names is said to not be on the list.
We will update you shortly as the information comes to hand.
As the grab for power in the Point Fortin Senior Citizens Home continues, southsidenewstt visited the home this week where some residents who wish to remain anonymous have asked the question what are the roles and functions of these women, working in the URP Office and the Alderman.
Since they came here things are not like they used to be, we are experiencing massive confusion and victimization and they are not even bonafide board members. We were told some time ago two residents who were almost evicted from the home recently had the intervention of a community activist who is the sister of the former Mayor of Point Fortin to come to their rescue. The residents went on to say our light and water was turned off on us for weeks. Southsidenewstt contacted the sister of the former Mayor who confirmed the incident, she got an official from the Ministry of Social Development to assist with the situation. She went on to say that her timely intervention had averted a health crisis at the home. We understand that the home is a registered Nonprofit Organization and it receives a subvention from the Ministry of Social Development annually which go towards the upkeep of the home. The residents pay a monthly rental but the lady from the URP Office and the Alderman have told the residents not to pay any rent.
Southsidenewstt also understands that a former councillor of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation who is also interested in becoming a member of the home as treasurer. We were reliably informed that in any organization the former councillor becomes a member always seek the position of treasurer. We were told when she leaves it always have a terrain of financial ruin.
Southsidenewstt can confirm a Board meeting is set for 17th February 2022 at 5 pm.
There is a row now brewing between members of Board of the Point Fortin Senior Citizens Home following the death of Chairperson and Foundation member Jean Alexander who died in late December 2021.
Southsidenewstt understand that various fractions have emerged within the board in order to take control of the board. We were also told of some alleged inconsistency in the financial aspect of organization. Board member took unauthorized stipends and bonuses and when confronted on Tuesday, one senior member promised to pay it back while two others claim they have no money to pay it back.
During Tuesday’s Board meeting tempers flared forcing the meeting to adjourn to date to be fixed. Some members of board reached out to our newsroom expressing their concern about the future of the long-standing organization. Some lamented a former treasurer who had to leave in disgrace it now seeking to return to the board.
We understand several open cheques, undated sign cheque was also discovered. Southsidenewstt learn that late chairperson had invited a former school principal to be member of the board and to be chairperson, to bring some order to the management structure of the organization. We were informed by a well place source that several political activists on the board threated to leave once the application is accepted.
So, we reach out to former principal who said, he is willing to serve on the Board of the Point Fortin Senior Citizens Home in any capacity. I can, I am able, willing, and qualified to serve if selected to chair the board, he will immediately call for an audit into the finances of the home.
Southsidenewstt understands that several unauthorized persons visited the bank this week in an attempt to seek information about the home finances, however they were unsuccessful. We also attempted to reach the secretary of the board; all our efforts were futile.
Some residents of Point Fortin are wondering if their Member of Parliament is now an independent MP from the People’s National Movement. Several members of the community contacted our newsroom seeking answers in the wake of a Facebook post on his official page.
The post read, that the Member of Parliament is endorsing the move to digitize vaccination card and wristband. The post advice of an agent and a telephone contact number and website vaxxpasstt.com with a physical address of an office in San Fernando for the e-card, which is totally contrary with his government policy on the e vaccination card. Mr. Richards was elected in August 2020 on a PNM ticket as the Member of Parliament.
However in a news release from the Ministry of Health Corporate Communications Unit dated January 14, 2022 the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the population that at this time they have NOT endorsed, FOR use in Trinidad and Tobago any other digital system e.g. vaccination e card or vaccination wristbands regarding entry into Covid-19 safe zones or as proof of vaccination. Currently only the use of the National Immunization Record (vaccination card) and bonafied proof of vaccinations from other countries are accepted). The Ministry encouraged the public to be careful when sharing sensitive information with third party entities especially personal medical information.
Southsidenewstt attempt to reach Mr. Richards to find out if he is still a Member of the People’s National Movement, Member of the Parliamentary Team however, all calls to his cell phone went unanswered.
Southsidenewstt can confirm there is a covid scare at the URP office in Point Fortin once again. Several members of staff reach out to our newsroom voicing their concern about the situation.
A member of staff was tested position for dreaded Covid-19 virus on Friday 7th January 2022 and have since been quarantined. On Monday staff returned to work unaware. We understand that the Manager was officially informed but did not inform her staff.
Southsidenewstt was told that the staff became aware of the situation after the infected staff member informed her colleagues and friends.
We were told the manager has the quarantine document in her possession. One staff lamented there is no sink for washing of hands at the office. We visited and saw a broken pipe in a sink. We understand there no running water to the sink as well. One employee said the Manager behaviour is evil. She is a survivor of Covid -19 and she should know better.
According to the Public Health Regulations there should be no more than ten persons gathering. Southsidenewstt can confirm that there are over forty persons on the compond on a daily basis. We tried to reach the Manager but all calls to her mobile phone went unanswered.
we will update shortly
A burst main leave several residents in Point Fortin and Environs without a water supply from early Thursday morning, leaving their taps dry.
Several residents contacted southsidenewstt, however upon completing our own investigation we found a 16 inch main burst in the vicinity of the Tornadoes Pan Yard gushing millions of gallons of water.
Speaking to southsidenewstt, WASA Corporate Communications Manager, Daniel Plenty says it is a wash out as a result of repair work undertaken in the area, however residents says water has been gushing in the area over two days now.
Southsidenewstt will bring you up to date as it comes to hand.
Point Fortin Police has detained forty six (46) persons in a zesser party in what they believe to be a brothel at Balkaran Street, Warden Road, Point Fortin.
According to reports reaching southsidenewstt aound 2 am today, the Point Fortin Police had the buiding under surveillance for some time now.
The Officers moved in this moring along with the South Western Division Task Force. Police had to breach the premises since the building was tightly locked. They will be charged for breaking the Public Health Regulations 2021, while the owner is expected to be charged for selling alcohol and operating a brothel without a license.
Southsidenews also understand several detainees will have to be removed to different locations for housing as the cell in Point Fortin is full to capacity. They are expected to appear before a Point Fortin Magistrate on Monday to answer the charges.
Member of Parliament for Point Fortin Kennedy Richard has alerted his constituent of fraud in which his name is being used.
In a Facebook post on his official page Mr. Richards said it has been brought to his attention a hidden number is contacting persons pretending to be him asking for a two hundred dollars phone card. He asked his constituency not to fall for this fraud and said that it is false.
The MP Richards when on to state that he takes umbrage to this act by persons using his name and office to carry out their criminal act.
Mr. Richards also says the matter has been brought to the relevant authority. The person or persons who is behind the act will be held criminally liable and face the full brunt of the law for their action and apologies to his constituent for any inconvenience caused. The MPs office can be reached at 648-1086, 289-6454 or WhatsApp # 710-6405
Some five thousand residents of Egypt, New Village and surrounding community of Point Fortin are to benefit from an improved water supply with the re-commission of the La Fortune Water Treatment Plant which first started operations in 2006 and was shut down in 2013 and left to rundown. We saw the introduction of the desalination plant and rerouting of the previous water supply areas such Siparia, Penal etc. etc. which caused some challenges to the Point Fortin community on a hold.
Speaking at the re-commissioning ceremony on Saturday was the Member of Parliament for Point Fortin, Kennedy Richards Jr. who said that with the re-commission of this facility it is expected to put an additional half million gallons of water in the pipes of the residents. Mr. Richards went on to tell the residents of the other area such as Chatham, Grandville, and Icacos that their water situation will be a thing of the pass in the near future.
Also speaking at the re-commissioning ceremony, Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales, who said, three months ago on his first visit he was shocked that the plant was allowed to run down. He said the only persons working at the facility was the Security Guards. Minister Gonzales shortly after assuming office realized there was a short fall in the water supply in the country because facilities like the La Fortune Water Treatment Plant was allowed to run down. He went on to say over the next two years WASA will be looking at infrastructure so it can transmit and distribute water through out the country.
The Minister said when he pick up his appointment WASA was plague with mismanagement and corruption and is costing the country million of dollars.
The project was completed at a cost of around two million dollars and completed with in budget. The Minister also thanked the team who worked on the refurbishment of the plant.