“The advertisements
are aimed at influencing public opinion over the controversial
plans for East Port of Spain.
“However, the ads carry naked political messages, with some
of them even endorsing Minister Rowley.
“That amounts to blatant partisan politicking with the people’s
money.
“In addition, the messages are not providing the truth with
respect to the entire disputed housing plan.
“Further, some of the people in the advertisements, who
are speaking on behalf of the project, are not residents of the
district.
“The UNC calls on Dr. Rowley and HDC to immediately stop
the flawed and politically biased advertisements and to apologise
to the residents of East Port of Spain for the prejudices, unfair
and flagrantly politically-oriented advertisements.”
Meanwhile, a community activist from Port of Spain has also condemned
the advertisements, calling them “flagrant lies”.
“The HDC is using a very high-tech and expensive marketing
strategy to sway public perception,” the activist stated.
“One of the ads estimates that 98 per cent of residents
of East Port of Spain is supportive of the HDC and the proposed
development plan but that is a flagrant lie; it is simply not
true.
“I am disappointed because a lot of money was spent on that
advertisement campaign; the ads are very clean, very professional,
a lot of money was spent to make the (Housing) Minister and the
HDC look good.
“(But) I can take you into ‘the planning’ and
show you 60 to 70 people, men and women, who are selling drugs
on a daily basis to survive.
“The real problem is that quite a few of the residents of
East Port of Spain are owning the HDC and that places them in
a very uneasy situation.
“The HDC is saying that people are gainfully employed and
are not paying their rents and mortgages but that is another lie;
in fact, residents of East Port of Spain are discriminated against
when seeking employment.
“The district is stigmatised and people who live in the
community find it difficult to get decent jobs.”
The community insider added: “There is no consultation with
the residents, although there are a number of community groups
in the area.”
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