By Sue-Ann Wayow

IF the popular Maracas Beach Facility is to become one of the best in the world, the management system of the facility needs to improved.

Starting with the regularisation of the tent and beach chair rentals that promotes gang activity says Minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Alexander, likening the facility to the “Wild Wild West.”

Alexander, on Wednesday again visited the beach this time with Parliamentary Secretary Colin Neil Gosine and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge after posting a video on social media showing a man being beaten allegedly by beach chair vendors on the beach.

Alexander told AZP News, he got involved as information was sent to him by food vendors who were not happy with the operations of the beach chair and tent rentals on the beach.

He said, “The urgent issue needing addressing on the beach right now is regularisation of how this service if offered to beach goers. Nobody is saying it is not a good service, we are saying it is done badly. It comes across as extortion and strong arming, it scares people, a lot of hustling, it has brought a lot of these young gang members on the beach and it brings a lot of violence and drug use, marijuana into the equation and a beach is a family location.”

Alexander said safety and control should be of paramount importance to the management of the facility.

“A holistic plan needs to be done so going forward it could be the tourist destination it needs to be and one of the number destinations in the world,” he said.

Alexander is recommending attention be placed on infrastructural upgrade and relocation of the carpark.

“The issue of the road running between the carpark and the beach, that needs to change. The carpark needs to be adjacent to the beach and the road run outside all of it and that could be done quickly and cheaply just moving lines and fencing and running the road on the outside.”

The minister also said more security was needed at the beach and law enforcement patrols especially as tens of thousands of dollars in cash was being circulated on the beach daily.

“The presence of law enforcement would make a difference, there is none now,” he said.

Alexander said the responsibility for the tent and beach chair rentals falls under the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

Gosine also mentioned his ministry will be looking at a plan to regularise the rentals.

Alexander said the relevant ministers would be working to ensure a better facilities for families and tourists to enjoy.