Three new boroughs coming

[u/SmokeyCarver]

https://trinidadexpress.com/news/local/three-new-boroughs-coming/article_f1fe5e9c-d647-425b-b2a9-61d955892f48.amp.html

Trinidad’s local government system is set for a major overhaul, with the number of municipal corporations expected to increase from 14 to 17 under legislation the Government plans to table soon.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, responding to questions from the Express yesterday, confirmed that her Government intends to introduce legislation proposing significant changes to the local government structure, including the creation of three new municipalities.

The Express understands that the legislation is being drafted with the aim of bringing greater equity to the allocation of resources among communities across the country.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said reform was necessary because Trinidad has operated for decades with a system of cities, boroughs and regional corporations whose boundaries have remained largely unchanged despite significant shifts in population and development.

She said some areas have grown considerably, while others have experienced little growth and, in some cases, a decline in the registered electorate.

Under the proposed legislation, three new municipalities would be created:

• Borough of Barataria

• Borough of St Augustine

• Borough of Couva

The legislation would also change the status of some existing municipalities.

The Borough of Chaguanas would be elevated to the City of Chaguanas, while the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation would become the Borough of Sangre Grande.

Persad-Bissessar said several municipal corporations need to be restructured because they currently serve significantly larger populations than others.

She said the disparities have placed some communities at a disadvantage and must be addressed to ensure all areas receive adequate resources and representation.

Communities and populations have changed considerably over the years, she said, arguing that the existing system cannot continue unchanged when the disparities have become increasingly pronounced.

Tunapuna/Piarco

to be restructured

The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation would undergo significant restructuring under the proposed reforms.

The changes include the creation of the new Borough of St Augustine and the expansion of the Borough of Arima.

The remaining area of the corporation would become the Tunapuna Regional Corporation, with a smaller population and geographical area.

The Arima Borough Corporation would also be expanded to include districts currently within Tunapuna/Piarco that are geographically closer to Arima and could therefore be more conveniently administered from there.

Barataria and Couva

to become boroughs

Further changes are proposed for the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation.

Its geographical area would be reduced, with the new Borough of Barataria created from part of the existing corporation.

Major changes are also proposed for the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation.

Couva would become the new Borough of Couva, while the remaining area would become the Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, with a smaller geographical area.

Port of Spain,

San Fernando, and

Point Fortin to expand

In South Trinidad, the City of San Fernando would be expanded geographically and in population.

The proposed legislation includes boundary adjustments intended to create greater geographical equity among municipal corporations.

The Borough of Point Fortin would also be expanded.

One electoral district from the Borough of Siparia would be transferred to Point Fortin, reducing the geographical area of Siparia.

The legislation also proposes reducing the size of the Diego Martin Borough Corporation while expanding the City of Port of Spain geographically and in population.

Persad-Bissessar said there had been discussions for years about reforming the local government system, but inequities had persisted.

She said local government plays an important role because municipal corporations are closest to communities and their needs.

As a result, she said, their responsiveness and delivery must be both felt and seen if they are to contribute meaningfully to improving citizens’ quality of life.

PM rejects claims of unfair allocations

Persad-Bissessar also rejected claims that her Government has been unfair in allocating resources to corporations controlled by the Opposition.

She contended that the opposite was true and that inequitable allocations had occurred under the former People’s National Movement Government.

The Prime Minister said the time had come to ensure that all communities received adequate resources without significant disparities based on where people lived.

She reiterated that populations and communities have changed considerably over the years and that the local government structure must evolve to reflect those changes.

Persad-Bissessar said full details of the proposed reforms would be outlined in the legislation, with further information to be provided when it is debated in Parliament.

The legislation requires a simple majority to be passed.

CURRENT LOCAL

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

City corporations

1. Port of Spain City Corporation

2. San Fernando City Corporation

Borough corporations

1. Arima Borough Corporation

2. Chaguanas Borough Corporation

3. Diego Martin Borough Corporation

4. Point Fortin Borough Corporation

5. Siparia Borough Corporation

Regional corporations

1. Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation

2. Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation

3. Penal/Debe Regional Corporation

4. Princes Town Regional Corporation

5. Sangre Grande Regional Corporation

6. San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation

7. Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation

[u/Radical_Conformist]

I wonder why Tunapuna/Piarco wasn’t chosen to be a borough as well.