Letters: How Many More Must Die

Dear Editor,

The “WRA” (We Run Arima) organised a fantastic half-marathon in Arima, creating an exhilarating experience for participants. However, the event was marred by a tragic incident: a young and dedicated photographer lost his life in an unfortunate accident. He had been passionately capturing the essence and excitement of the race, making the ending even more heartbreaking.

Though the details of the accident are not my focus, I am deeply concerned about an ongoing issue that casts a shadow over this incident. The Minister of Works Rohan Sinanan has held his position for the past eight years, yet the problem of illegal activities persisting on the priority bus route remains unaddressed.

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Parking on the Priority Bus Route (PBR) without proper approval is a violation of the law. This raises pertinent questions: How many of the cars parked along the route at 5 am displayed visible approval stickers? How many driveways that provide access to homes have received legitimate authorisation? Are the small apartment buildings adhering to regulations for driveways connected to the PBR? Have businesses acquired proper approval for their PBR access?

The presence of intersections lacking traffic lights further compounds the concerns. The gravity of these issues highlights a troubling reality – individuals are seemingly allowed to commit offences with the tacit approval of the Minister of Works. In legal terms, a crime encompasses any action or omission that constitutes an offence punishable by law. While the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is responsible for enforcing the law, all ministers of Government bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that matters within their jurisdiction are effectively implemented.

In 2017, I wrote an article highlighting three evils that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago permits on the PBR.  Those evils were the issuing of PBR passes to members of the “in-group” while the population endures the pain of an almost non-existent transportation system; the facilitation of houses and businesses with direct access to the bus route and the facilitation of a gas station with an entrance and exit onto the PBR.

Recently our leaders have been talking about the lawlessness of our country, and that’s valid, but I say to them, “Don’t complain about what you permit!” Someone permits the excessive issuance of PBR passes and that just adds to the congestion. Someone permits these illegal structures on the PBR… someone allowed the gas station access to the PBR.

The only way to change our society is for our leaders to start doing the right thing and send a message to the entire country.  The death of this young photographer is tragic. Minister Rohan Sinanan: How many more must die before you stop the facilitation of criminal activity on the PBR?