HERITAGE Petroleum Company Ltd has launched a six-year Community Contractor Development Programme (CCDP).

The programme was developed to provide community-based contractors with opportunities to compete for contracts across South Trinidad.

On Wednesday, over 140 small contractors attended the launch held at Point Fortin Borough Town Hall Auditorium.

Speaking on behalf of Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, was Minister in the Ministry of Energy Ernesto Kesar said the initiative “represents a practical and inclusive approach to creating jobs, building local business capacity, and sustaining livelihoods in several communities bounded by Heritage.”

He praised Heritage for its leadership in promoting entrepreneurship among local contractors.

Also in attendance were Member of Parliament for La Brea Clyde Elder, members of the Heritage board, acting Chief Executive Officer Kerry Rampersad and members of Heritage’s executive leadership team.

Rampersad noted that the CCDP reflected Heritage’s investment in people, helping small contractors grow stronger, work safer, and become more competitive while upholding the company’s HSE and operational standards.

The programme is expected to be implemented in Point Fortin, Penal, La Brea, Moruga, Siparia, Fyzabad and Barrackpore.

Heritage in a release on Friday stated, “Under the astute and visionary leadership of The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Government is focused on providing opportunities for sustainable employment and development throughout the nation. The CCDP is in alignment with this focus which will redound to the benefit of the citizens.”

The launch of the programme took place one day before government launched its mega plan to revitalise the economy and provide some 50,000 jobs within the next five years.