MP for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann's West Patricia McIntosh shed tears on Wednesday when she addressed guests at the Pandemonium Steel Orchestra panyard, Norfolk Street, Belmont. She was addressing an event held to mark the completion of upgrades on the panyards of the Gonzales Sheikers and the Pandemonium Steel Orchestra by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
McIntosh said she was first informed about the threatening conditions of the land at the Pandemonium property when she was approached by Pandemonium member Mark Mohammed, who pleaded with her to improve the facilities. She said she recognised his desperation but was initially uncertain how to assist.
"I did not know how I would go about this or get it done. But somehow when I looked in his eyes I knew that I would extend every effort possible to see that this dream of Pandemonium was realised," she added. McIntosh said she later spoke to the Minister of Works and Infrastructure at the time, Jack Warner.
She thanked Warner for listening to her concerns and introducing her to Hayden Phillip, programme manager of the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (PURE). She said after this introduction she and Phillip were able to visit the panyards, assess the work to be done and get approval to begin rehabilitation.
McIntosh began to cry as she thanked Phillip for his co-operation, professionalism and collaboration with her as well as the musicians of Pandemonium and Sheikers throughout the duration of the projects. She said she recognised how busy Phillip must be, as he directs the construction of roads as well as rehabilitation projects taken on by PURE.
She added: "Never once did he not take my calls.. Never once did he not respond if I left a message. I would like to thank him for his prompt responses to our concerns." She said the improvements to the panyards brought dignity to the contribution of the many talented musicians who continued to promote T&T's culture.
Project engineer of PURE Charline Augustin-Bastaldo said high levels of rainfall in 2010 caused extensive erosion to the embankment of the river which ran along the Pandemonium property in Belmont. She said the project involved building a concrete retaining wall over six metres high to protect the slope.
The area of the panyard was also increased to approximately 400 square metres, which she said band members could now use to practice and hold social gatherings. The work was undertaken by WBI Construction Services Ltd at a cost of $2.8 million. Works and Infrastructure Minister Emmanuel George focused his address on the young students of Belmont Boys' RC School and the Cascade Junior Life Centre, who were at the event.
George said their presence reminded him of the purpose of his work. He added: "We are really building this country for them. This is our ultimate purpose." He said while he was pleased the members of the steel orchestra would be able to enjoy more pleasant surroundings, it was important to remember it was the young people who stood to inherit such facilities.
He urged the men and women of Pandemonium and Sheikers to "mould the lives of these young men and women and guide them so that they become upright citizens." He encouraged the children to play pan and engage in other activities that would contribute positively to their development.
George said small-scale projects, like the panyard rehabilitation initiatives, were just as significant as large projects such as the construction of the Point Fortin Highway because they "make a difference in people's lives." Adding that the construction of the controversial highway is the biggest project of its kind ever undertaken in T&T, he said the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure treats with all projects with the "same degree of intensity."
He jokingly told the Pandemonium musicians they must repay McIntosh and the PURE technical team by winning the small band category of the Panorama next year.