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Shane Superville
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds listed several programs and upgrades aimed at addressing youth development.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of National Security, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, on Tuesday, Hinds addressed concerns over funding for the cadet force raised by MP for Naparima Rodney Charles during the UNC press conference on Sunday.
Hinds argued that in addition to existing programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Military Led Academic Training (MiLAT) program, other programs were being developed to engage young people in vocational training and keep them away from negative influences.
Referring to a recent visit to Guyana by Youth Development and National Service Minister Foster Cummings, Hinds said the trip was beneficial as it led to the development of a program that would seek to involve young people in the agricultural production training.
He said the project, which is estimated to cost $42 million, was still before Cabinet and he was optimistic that if approved it would help develop farming skills for young people while improving safety. food from Trinidad and Tobago.
“It is envisaged that this agricultural youth umbrella project will be a three-year project targeting 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 35 with three cohorts of 100 participants each year starting in September 2022. This will include the use of 26 acres of land held by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) which is supposed to be leased to this project for these purposes.
“I speak to you in a very serious way for the youth and at the same time for the benefit of all Trinidad and Tobago because we produce more healthy food, we will all be better off. We will restore life to the Minister of Easier health later with diabetes and lifestyle diseases We will generate economic activity We will use young people.
Among other plans in the pipeline for youth development, Hinds said plans to restore and modernize the old Teachers Training College building in Mausica for a national youth complex were also before Cabinet.
He noted that the project was estimated to cost $28 million and, if approved, would be a center where young people would learn ethical principles under the guidance of defense force officers.
He also noted that the El Dorado youth camp at Cecilia Street would be upgraded and expanded at an estimated cost of $21 million and listed youth facilities in St James, Laventille, Basilon Street, Malick, CA and Los Bajos as being intended for upgrades.
Hinds said that given the location of some of these communities, he and neighboring MPs Stuart Young and Keith Scotland agreed to collectively address youth issues.
“We understand that the land between Queen’s Park East and La Croisee (San Juan), including Febeau Village and all of that and including Sea Lots to the south, has no wire fence, no boundary, every issue in those areas is ours and every contribution we make is ours.”
Hinds also chastised Charles for his criticism of government strategies and accused the UNC of mismanaging the country’s national security resources during his tenure from 2010 to 2015.
