The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service is expanding its services by actively pursuing the creation of additional “Fit for Purpose” Youth Facilities. The newest addition will serve the needs of youth leaders, youth workers, and persons interested in youth development within the La Horquetta area and neighbouring communities.
This, according to the Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service, as he delivered the Feature Address at the Signing Ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction and outfitting of the New La Horquetta Youth Facility on Tuesday 25th January, 2022, at the Government Campus Plaza, Port of Spain.
“This new non-residential, multipurpose Youth Facility will offer several benefits to the young people of La Horquetta – as it will be used for Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) programmes. The La Horquetta Youth Facility would include a special element of making commercial spaces available for rent. This will foster the pursuit of self-employment options and opportunities for young micro-entrepreneurs within the community,” explained Minister Cummings.
The MOU outlined an agreement between the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) and the Rural Development Company (RDC) – an agency of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (MRDLG). Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government affirmed in his remarks, “My Ministry, through the RDC, remains committed to this project, which will address the current and emerging needs of the young people of La Horquetta. We are here as servants of the people. The Youth Facility is what they want and we are delivering it!”
The Honourable Adrian Leonce, Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development stated that, “Every youth project deserves a firm foundation. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is happy to support this initiative. The La Horquetta Youth Facility will be located in the heart of a Housing Development Corporation residential community. We envision that it will transform the lives of young people in the area and we are pleased to be part of it.”
The signatories to the MOU were Mr. Farook Hosein – Permanent Secretary, MYDNS and Mr. Sean Ramrattan – Director, Youth Affairs Division; Mr. Jason Kissoon – CEO, Rural Development Company and Mr. Arshaad Mohammed – Corporate Secretary, RDC.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to national service across Trinidad and Tobago.
Seated are the MOU signatories (L-R) Mr. Arshaad Mohammed – Corporate Secretary, RDC; Mr. Jason Kissoon – CEO, RDC; Mr. Farook Hosein – Permanent Secretary, MYDNS and Mr. Sean Ramrattan – Director, Youth Affairs Division, MYDNS.
About the La Horquetta Youth Facility
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the details for the construction and outfitting of a new Youth Facility of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) in the community of La Horquetta; and that the Rural Development Company (RDC) proceed with the preparation of the design and budget of the project.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) approved to lease a parcel of land located in La Horquetta bounded on the North partly by Freddie Kissoon Avenue and partly by Housing Development Corporation, on the South partly by Slinger Francisco Boulevard and partly by Housing Development Corporation, on the East by Housing Development Corporation and on the West by Ahamad Charles Crescent. The land comprising 1.0533 hectares will be used by the MYDNS for the development of a Youth Facility.
The construction of a Youth Facility is proposed in the La Horquetta community given that it accommodates one of the largest government housing programmes with over twenty five thousand (25,000) residents, many of whom are young people. It is envisaged that the Youth Facility will provide a positive atmosphere and serve as a venue that will become essential to personal health and wellness, thereby reducing reliance on healthcare and other social services.
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