Former PNM minister Joan Yuille-Williams, third from right, greets newly-installed councillors of the Point Fortin Borough Corporation, yesterday. The councillors are Janelle St Hilaire, left, Abdon Mason, Marilyn Ramnarinesingh, Sherwin St Hillaire, Kriscia Simon and Kennedy Kendel Richards. PHOTO: RISHI RAGOONATH

Lone Congress of the People councillor Marilyn Ramnarinesingh promised to tackle drainage, flooding and erosion in the south-western peninsula, after she was sworn in at the PNM-controlled Point Fortin Borough Corporation yesterday. She was one of six councillors who were officially sworn in, during a brief ceremony at the corporation. The PNM councillors were Janelle St Hilaire, Abdon Mason, Sherwin St Hillaire, Kriscia Simon and Kennedy Kendel Richards. Two aldermen—Peter Ancil Bharat, an operator of Petrotrin, and former chief executive officer of the borough, Clyde Paul, were also elected. It was the first time in the history of the Pt Fortin Borough Corporation that an opposition party obtained a foothold.

Ramnarinesingh, who represents the Fanny Village, Cap-de-Ville region, said she was familiar with all of her PNM councillors and did not expect any political squabbles. She said she hoped to work closely with them to ensure that the lives of all were improved. “I intend to work in my district,” she said. “I have already visited all the areas and just this morning, I visited a house occupied by 15 children. The house was overgrown with bushes. “We have a severe mosquito problem right now in Cedros and I hope to make representation to have the drains and rivers cleared. Ramnarinesingh said her PNM colleagues were supportive of her and despite political differences, she was willing to work with the council for the benefit of the people.

She said a team, including Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, planned to visit the peninsula next week to examine coastal erosion.
Meanwhile, PNM strategist and former senator Joan Yuille-Willams extended congratulations to Ramnarinesingh. “Naturally, as the PNM, we would have liked to win all the seats, but we conceded this one,” Yuille-Willams said. Ramnarinesingh voted with the PNM councillors in the election of the aldermen. Chief executive officer of the corporation, Patricia Bradshaw, steered away from making political comments. She said she had pledged her support to work with all councillors despite their political affiliation.