Youth Development and National Service Minister, the Honourable Foster Cummings, recommissioned the Youth Development Centre at Basilon Street, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Minister in the Ministry of National Security, the Honourable Keith Scotland S.C., and Mayor of Port of Spain, His Worship Alderman Chinua Alleyne were on hand and participated in the ceremony.
Addressing the young residents of Basilon Street and environs, Minister Cummings encouraged them to “take care of the facility and take advantage of the training programmes the MYDNS will offer at the Basilon Street Youth Development Centre. At this facility you will be able to partake in hydroponics; beauty culture; auto mechanics; auto electrical; plumbing; and carpentry.”
The Minister noted that while these skills are necessary in today’s world and for the development and sustainability of Trinidad and Tobago, it is important that the youth achieve more than is expected of them in society; and challenged the young residents to “Shock Trinidad and Tobago by the good work you will do there.”
Cummings, clamoring for community togetherness, expressed how proud he was that the completion of the facility was incident-free and appealed to the young residents to, “Stop killing each other.” Minister Cummings reminded the community that “solving crime is more than a Government responsibility; it is a societal responsibility. It starts in the Family, the School, the Church, the Mosque, the Mandirs. All of us, coming together as a village to raise that child we could all be so proud of.”
Minister in the Ministry of National Security, the Honourable Keith Scotland S.C., voiced how overjoyed he was that young people of this Constituency have a place for development that opens opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
Minister Scotland shared that “the facility is not just for Basilon Street residents, but is open for any young person who is keen to learn a skill; whether from Chaguanas or Basilon Street and environs, they should be able to come here.”
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 the National Service of Trinidad and Tobago.
