By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Friday, May 25 2012

TWO million dollars have been allocated to the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC) by the Finance Ministry for preliminary work on the waterfront project, San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray disclosed yesterday.

Addressing council members yesterday during the 22nd statutory meeting at the Corporation’s Council Chamber on Harris Promenade in San Fernando, Coudray said work may commence within the next three months.

Technical persons, she added, have identified the areas the funds should be spent on.

“Restoration of the old PTSC building on King’s Wharf. The upgrade of the fish market and the clean-up of the entire King’s Wharf area,” Coudray said.

Coudray said she met with PTSC officials three months ago and reached an agreement in principle whereby PTSC’s lands that would form part of the project would be put under the corporation.

A team comprising council members, non-government organisations, the San Fernando Business Association and burgesses met officials of the Chaguaramas Development Authority ( CDA) and toured the Chaguaramas boardwalk yesterday to assess how the boardwalk project was accomplished.

“For more than 20 years the people of San Fernando have been hearing about waterfront development and nothing has materialised. Hopefully within the next two or three months we can start something in San Fernando,” Coudray said.

During the meeting, bickering continued between Coudray and independent councillor for Cocoyea/Tarouba Darren McLeod, who resigned from the UNC last month over frustration that his areas were being neglected by the People’s Partnership (PP) Government.

“Whoever is here under the PP must be mindful they are here because of the people and they have to serve the people. They must explain to the people if they fail to execute any projects,” McLeod said, adding the PP had nothing to celebrate, referring to the second anniversary rally held in Chaguanas last evening.

McLeod called on Coudray to conduct a walkabout in his constituency. Only recently McLeod had sought a petition from his constituents seeking the removal of Coudray, who is also a UNC deputy chairman.

“The mayor is available to walk with councillors in their respective districts. People have been walking in Cocoyea seeking a petition,” responded Coudray.

McCleod added that the corporation failed to make outstanding payments to persons who worked during Carnival. This claim was dismissed by Coudray who said there were no outstanding cheques to be signed for Carnival-related services. During the meeting, Mc Leod withdrew from a committee which was overseeing the completion of the SFCC’s building on Carib Street. He said his reason for withdrawing was to protect his name.