By Prior Beharry
SANGRE Grande Chamber of Commerce (SGCOC) is seeking vaccination for both essential and non-essential workers such as those in bars and restaurants within its region.
This according to president of the SGCOC Preston Sam in a release on Tuesday.
He said following the press conference of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on June 5, the executive met to discuss issues arising out of it and noted the “vaccinate to operate” policy.
Sam said, “We decided to write the minister of health seeking urgent attention for the vaccination of staff for essential businesses and for other businesses that would eventually reopen, including restaurants and bars within the chambers jurisdiction.”
For the past 35 years, businesses within the jurisdiction of Cumuto/Manzanilla and Toco/Sangre Grande have been represented by the SGCOC, the release stated.
He said last week SGCOC vice president Kenneth Charran attended a meeting with a ministerial team assigned by the prime minister.
Sam said SGCOC was asked to prepare a letter making recommendations and suggestions that would affect businesses during the Covid-19 health restrictions.
He said, “We wish to thank the Minister of Health for accepting one of our recommendations for the addition of one new vaccination site at the Manzanilla Health Facility.”
Other recommendations included:
- Changing of Curfew Start time from 9pm to 5pm
- Drive Thru Vaccination Center
- Vaccination Education Drive
- Grants and other Government Assistance
- Commercial financial Assistance
- Business Waivers, in respect to Taxation
- Agriculture Enhancement
Sam comments came following a video posted by current Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation and past chairman of the SGCOC Anil Juteram.
The video was recorded in the chamber of the corporation, although Juteram said he was speaking as the former head of the chamber and not as the chairman of the corporation.
He said he has been receiving calls from members of the business community which represent about 5,000 workers.
Juteram said currently there were about 130 establishments with retailers’ licenses, 200 spirit retailers’ businesses and 100 recreational clubs within the regions of Toco/Sangre and Cumuto/Manzanilla.
He said he was calling on the ministries of finance and trade as well as the Consumer Division to intervene to help these businesses who have stocks that will expire.
“They have no means of being assured that they will be compensated from the people who they have purchased from – the distributors.”
Sam said, “As president of this organisation I have full confidence in the executive as we continue to represent and lobby for the businesses within Cumuto/Manzanilla, and Toco Sangre Grande.
“I wish to urge all businesses who are not members to kindly contact the secretary’s office and register with the chamber via the office of the Secretary or our active Facebook page and website.”
