Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez says he is pleased with the progress made for the distribution of hampers thus far and thanked the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) for their assistance in making the hamper drive possible.
Martinez was involved in the distribution of 130 frozen chickens and 130 vegetable packs in different parts of Port of Spain on Thursday.
The hampers were distributed to all 12 councillors in Port of Spain who, in turn, distributed the hampers to residents in these districts.
Speaking with Newsday, Martinez said he was grateful for the support extended by Namdevco and private sector sponsors for their co-operation in social assistance.
"They (councillors) would have pre-arranged in their districts, a drive to have these items immediately dispatched to these families.
[caption id="attachment_895691" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez, centre, with, from left, councillors Nicole Young, Esther Sylvester and Malouia Bourne receive packages of frozen fruit and vegetables from Namdevco outside City Hall for distribution to families in need on Thursday. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
"That was done today. It was done via Namdevco who were able to generously donate these hampers. I spoke with one or two individuals, they were happy to receive hampers at a time which was difficult for them and they were grateful.
"We are reaching the citizens that are in most need and trying to bridge the gap. The fact is, some of them have not been able to go to work and sometimes they go without meals."
Martinez said the Chinese Embassy had also begun planning with the Port of Spain City Council for the donation of hampers and medical equipment to those in need.
"We, as a council, received recently: medical supplies, a ventilator and mask through the Chinese Embassy from the city of Shanhai to Port of Spain and we will start a distribution soon.
"The embassy also indicated that they are willing to assist us with hamper distribution we are now working out the logistics with the possibility of reaching 300 people, so we are very grateful for their assistance and the assistance of other corporate sponsors."
Responding to Newsday's questions via WhatsApp, Minister of Land, Agriculture and Fisheries Clarence Rambarat said the distribution was a success noting that, including Port of Spain, 139 councillors and 12 Tobago House of Assembly representatives were also involved in the drive.
[caption id="attachment_895694" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Port of Spain City Corporation Councillor for Belmont East Nicole Young, left, presents a Namdevco family food hamper with chicken, fruit and vegetables to Ivy McClean, 82, at her home on St Francois Valley Road, Thursday. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]
"In May we received a donation from Arawak of 20,000 chickens. The Minister of Rural Development and I agreed that the 139 Councillors and 12 assemblymen should each be given 13
