Thursday, November 1 2012

The People and Projects for Progress Programme (PPPP) in east Port-of-Spain attracted more residents yesterday willing to accept the $69 for four hours’ work.

Work under the programme — cleaning and maintaining the surroundings — is in progress at Mango Rose, Piccadilly Street, Jackson Place, Duncan Street, Rose Hill, Laventille Street, and the Relief Centre on George Street and environs with teams of ten workers.

“My personal view of the whole programme, is that it is an opportunity to learn and get into the job market. We are only doing this job temporarily until we can get a permanent job after we are certified in the programme,” said Annette Morris, a resident and worker at Mango Rose. Her daughter, Keisha Morris, also believes the programme is a good opportunity.

“We have to have patience because it is a stepping stone for a better job. I am ok with the $69 a day because it is only for four hours,” she said.

PPPP, an initiative of the Ministry of National Security created to assist residents of east Port-of- Spain, was launched October 17 at the St Paul’s Community Centre.

Hundreds of residents turned out to register for the programme, but then refused to work after learning they would be paid $69 for four hours per day. They aired their disgust by blocking roads with old burning tyres, engaged in an all-night protest and marched to the Treasury Building on Independence Square, over two days last week.

Despite the dissatisfaction with the salary, a number of residents have chosen to continue with the programme.

Orientation continued at the St Paul’s Community Centre yesterday.

Representatives of the East Port-of-Spain Develop­ment Corporation were present at the apartment complex between George and Nelson Street as workers of the PPPP operated on George Street.

Project manager of the corporation, Michael Aberdeen, said the team was conducting a “needs analysis” to determine what was most needed in the areas between North Independence Square and Duke Street.