Contributions
During this period under review the Office of the Member of Parliament for Tunapuna assisted constituents and organizations with monetary donations as well as commodities for events in the form of tents, Christmas toys, trophies, medals and hampers/foodstuff depending on the nature of the event. The Office of the M.P. commits and continues to assist wherever possible to ensure the success of events within the community.Self HELP
Assistance for home improvement through the Minor Repairs and Reconstruction Grant (MRRG) /Self Help continues to be pursued and accessed through the Office of the M.P. for Tunapuna. Approximately thirty-five applicants were able to successfully access assistance for home repairs from Self Help via the Office of the M. P. for Tunapuna during the reporting period. Kudos to the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
60 % of visits to the M.P. Office are for HDC Housing needs. Suitable and affordable housing accommodations remains paramount on the list of concerns of constituents and visitors to the Office of the M. P. for Tunapuna. Assistance in the form of letters from the Office of the Member of Parliament to the HDC highlighting the individual plight and position of all applicants is yielding positive results with a number of applicants being successful in their application and joyfully receiving the keys to their new home. The persons who qualify are not readily identifiable unless they return to the M.P. Office to share the good news of their success. Approx. less than twenty (20) persons who received recommendation letters from M.P. office have received HDC housing to date.Digicel Foundation
The Digicel Foundation Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) project continues in the Caura Valley. The Digicel Foundation in conjunction with the Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, Mr. Esmond Forde, the Caura Village Council, the Councillor for the area, Mr. Aaron Thomas and the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation has embarked on a Water Tank Project involving the installation of ten, one thousand gallon water tanks to facilitate the storage and distribution of water to the Caura Valley Community of Tumbasson.The cost of funding and the supply of material is being covered by the Digicel Foundation while the labour and expertise are being provided by the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation. The Office of the M.P. for Tunapuna continues to contribute in a meaningful way to organizations and individuals seeking to bring Christmas cheer to the less fortunate in the community.
Social Developments
Wheel Chairs, a total of four (4) were delivered to needy constituents. The Minister of Social Development and Family Services continues to play a pivotal role in the distribution.TT Food Cards: some constituents received Cards to date. Letters are issued to recipients by the M.P. Office in order to assist in any way possible with the qualifying criteria at the Welfare Division. The success rate are not tracked unless feedback are fort-coming.
Welfare Benefits and NIB: assistance are extended to persons attaining the ages 60 and 65 years in order to assist with the application process. Also persons with disabilities and other cases warranting social welfare benefits continue to visit the Office seeking assistance, guidance, letters, etc.
Passports applications recommendations are ongoing on a daily basis.
Employment
40% of the persons who visit the Office are seeking employment at varied levels. Twenty-Five (25) persons have received employment to date as a result of the direct involvement of the M.P. Office. Both at government and private institutions.Recommendations, references and referrals are extended on a daily basis to persons seeking employment. M.P. Office Staff assist in all ways possible in seeking employment for all and sundry. At times we wonder if the Office is a “mini” recruitment centre due to the amount of job applications written requests, resumes and verbal complaints for “work”.
WAND
Women In Action for the Needy and Destitute, NGO that gained access to computers towards the enhancement of computer literacy among the more mature population of Trinidad and Tobago and the Tunapuna Community. The digital educational programme was launched in Tunapuna with a handing over ceremony of 14 computers in November 2016 at the Upper El Dorado Community Centre. This programme was made possible in conjunction with PRICE Philanthrophies, UTT, the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, the Upper El Dorado Village Council and the M.P Tunapuna. Classes will start in January 2017 on Wednesdays and Fridays and open to all interested in computer literacy and usage. UTT and the Upper El Dorado Village Council under Mrs. Monica Ferguson is spear-heading the coordination of the programmeInfrastructure
WASA water pipeline leaks continue to be identified to the WASA officials for service repairs
T&TEC service requests of all the relevant natures continue to be catered for via the M.P. Office.
TPRC service request of all the services provided for by the Regional Corporation are referred to the TPRC chairman and Councillors on a monthly basis. Garbage disposal and sanitation can be improved within the Tunapuna Constituency. Abandoned Lots continue to be a “red herring” and a more comprehensive approach and direct response is need involving all relevant parties – EMA, CMOH, Insect Vector, etc.
The period under review has provided us with growth, challenge, opportunity, excitement and fulfillment as we strive to continuously deliver and improve in a meaningful way the lives and livelihood of all we interact with. We sincerely appreciate and thank you for the opportunity to serve and pledge our continued commitment to the constituents of Tunapuna and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as a whole.
