The landscape of Trinidad and Tobago has changed tremendously over the years. There was a time when trains were an essential means of transport. These were replaced by gasoline-driven vehicles. Ironically, decades after they were abandoned, talk about re-introducing trains to Trinidad and Tobago has recommenced. A light rail or speed train is now perceived as a desirable solution to this small nation's peak hour traffic woes. This is what Trinidad looked like when trains ruled the way.

The outgoing Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning has conceded defeat to the opposition. The next Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago will be Kamla Persad-Bissessar who will also become the country's first female head.

The Honourable Marlene McDonald, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs today opened a Community Facility at Sea Lots, Port of Spain. Below is the verbatim speech. Check against delivery.

I take great pleasure in formally opening this new community facility which symbolizes my continuing efforts to improve the lives of residents of Sealots.

Your community has benefited from a number of programmes initiated by my Ministry, despite the absence of adequate facilities. Both the Community Development Division and the Community Development Fund of my Ministry have organized Skills Development Programmes and other development activities. The Best Village Division has also facilitated your participation in the annual Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition.

At the individual level, some residents are enjoying more comfortable lives because of our Home Improvement Programme. Recently, financial assistance was given to those residents to repair the roofs of their homes and to undertake other home improvement activities. Now that the rainy season is upon us, they do not have to worry about leaking roofs and their children can study and live in comfort.

There are other community projects in progress and many more will be implemented in the near future. As your Parliamentary Representative, my commitment is to ensure that your needs are met within the broader picture of Government’s National Development Plan.

But you cannot ignore the fact that we are in the height of a General Elections and silly things will be said. I am quite aware that we cannot prevent the utterance of anyone, no matter how uniformed it may be. What is quite possible and desirable though is that as loyal constituents, you can provide appropriate information to put the wrong right and to inform the uninformed.

No one should have to be convinced that this facility was constructed in response to a burning need of members of this community. In the absence of a suitable place to engage in community activities, you expressed a desire for this facility and it has been provided through funding under the Community Development Fund.

The Honourable Marlene McDonald, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs today opened a Community Facility at Moseley Place, Laventille with a focus on the use of the venue as a Homework Centre. Below is the verbatim address as prepared for delivery.

The formal opening of this Homework Centre at Moseley Place allows me to reconnect in a meaningful way with the people and place where I grew up. I can readily relate to this memorable space which provided the environment for my early upbringing. Some of the houses have been repaired or refurbished, some of the familiar faces are no longer here and many of the children of my generation have grown up and have moved to other locations. But the significance of Moseley Place to me, and surely those who have left, remains unchanged. This was our first home and we will always be proud of it.

It is very gratifying that this community of less than one hundred persons has churned out a fair share of successful persons, such as the Cudjoes, who now own a large plumbing supply company and Brooms Construction establishment which originated in the community. I, myself, can be held up as a model for younger residents to emulate. Despite my humble background in this community, I was able to acquire a sound education and proceeded to become a lawyer and now the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, and the Parliamentary Representative for Port of Spain South, which includes Moseley Place.

I have provided an inspirational path for others to follow. I have even gone further by providing this Homework Centre to assist the children and young people of the community to build a strong academic foundation for improving their life chances. Many of the adults and elder persons who now reside here did not have the educational opportunities existing today but they still pursued a path of progress through sheer determination, hard work and making full use of the wisdom of others.

The Office of the President wishes to give the public the assurance that no one was hurt as a result of the collapse of the roof on the western end of The President’s House, which took place around two o’clock in the morning on Sunday 16th May, 2010.

The Office wishes further to clarify that, contrary to the front page headline: ‘President Moves Out’ which appears in the Newsday of today, Tuesday 18th May, 2010, the issue of the President moving from The President’s House, as implied in the headline, does not arise as His Excellency did not occupy The President’s House.

Functions usually held at The President’s House will, in future, take place at a location to be confirmed.

The Meteorological Service has advised through its 10:15 am Information Bulletin that soil instability/soil movement can occur in areas along the hillsides in the Northern Range in Trinidad and the Main Ridge in Tobago. If rainfall, similar to what was experienced over the last 24 hours, continues for an extended period of time, there is the increased possibility of soil movement/soil instability in these aforementioned areas.

In light of the foregoing, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) advises citizens to review their preparedness measures in order to safeguard the lives of their families and their property. Here are some advisory tips:-

• Be cautious when walking or driving near slopes in these areas

• Look for changes to your surroundings that may signal the likelihood of any landslide activity

After a landslide,

• Remember that flooding may occur

• Stay away from the slide area; there may be danger of additional slides

• Remember to help your neighbours or those who may have been affected.

The ODPM continues to reiterate that Trinidad and Tobago is now actively in the period of heightened hydro-meteorological activity and therefore, persons are to remain vigilant and take the necessary measures to safeguard their families and valuables.

If you have been the victim of any hazard impact (flooding or soil movement/landslides), please contact your regional corporation or the ODPM at 800 ODPM.

The situation is being monitored and the public will be advised accordingly.

The Meteorological Service has advised through its 9:30 am Information Bulletin that during the last twelve (12) hours, Trinidad and Tobago would have experienced some heavy and thundery showers. This is expected to continue intermittently throughout the country for the next three (3) to four (4) hours before any obvious signs of improvement.

As a consequence of these showers, street / flash flooding with accompanying gusty winds can be expected in areas of the heavy showers / thundershowers. In this vein, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) is advising citizens to review their preparedness measures such as storing and protecting valuables and relocating to areas that are not normally affected by flash flooding.

The ODPM has already alerted the first responder agencies and other critical agencies have also been notified should there be a need to render immediate assistance.

The ODPM continues to reiterate that Trinidad and Tobago is now actively in the period of heightened hydro-meteorological activity and therefore, persons are to remain vigilant and take the necessary measures to safeguard their families and valuables.

The situation is being monitored and the public will be advised accordingly.

Steelpan lovers are in for a treat this weekend as NAPA Fest resumes with a concert production entitled: “Genesis in Steel” with the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) lead by renowned and well respected Jessel Murray. The concert which will be held at NAPA, comprises a packed programme, and will feature, among other things, the revolutionary ‘G’ Pan.

Other acts will include Classical Orchestras, the UWI Arts Chorale, Lletesha Sylvester, Kizzy Ruiz and other popular guest artistes, Latin and Calypso Orchestras with traditional folk music from David Ruddder, Sparrow, the late Aldwyn Roberts and Jit Samaroo. Showtime is at 7:30 pm on Saturday May 15th and 6:30 pm on May 16th.

The National Steel Symphony Orchestra was formed in December 2007 and is administered by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs. The ensemble is composed of auditioned players, many of whom are University trained and who represent the best combination of technique and literacy among steelband players in Trinidad and Tobago.