Kareem Marcelle Raises Alarm as EPOSDC Workers Sent Home Amid Funding Concerns<\/p>\n
Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle is raising concerns over the future of the East Port of Spain Development Company Limited (EPOSDC), following the reported termination of more than a dozen workers and claims that the state-owned company has received no funding for projects or programmes during the current financial period.<\/p>\n
Marcelle raised the matter during an Opposition media briefing, where he called on the Government to immediately appoint a board of directors and provide the resources needed for EPOSDC to continue its development work across East Port of Spain.<\/p>\n
According to Marcelle, more than 12 employees recently received termination notices, affecting positions ranging from administrators and cleaners to project managers, social development personnel, technical officers and project evaluation staff.<\/p>\n
Marcelle also read from what he identified as a termination letter dated August 6, 2026.<\/p>\n
According to the correspondence as read during the briefing, employees whose fixed-term contracts had expired were being retained temporarily on month-to-month arrangements while EPOSDC awaited financial approvals and budgetary allocations for projects and programmes.<\/p>\n
However, the letter stated that the company had received no funding for projects or programmes for the current financial period.<\/p>\n
It further indicated that an application was submitted during the Mid-Year Budget Review but had not resulted in the funding required by the company.<\/p>\n
The correspondence said that while the company sought to act compassionately by continuing month-to-month employment arrangements, the absence of project funding meant available work had become significantly limited.<\/p>\n
Management, according to the letter read by Marcelle, subsequently approved a full month’s payment in lieu of notice for affected employees.<\/p>\n
## Marcelle Questions Company’s Future<\/p>\n
Marcelle is now questioning whether the prolonged situation could signal an intention to eventually close or significantly reduce the operations of EPOSDC.<\/p>\n
He claimed the company has remained without a board of directors since the current administration took office.<\/p>\n
“If you leave a company leaderless, how do you expect them to effectively execute their duties?” Marcelle asked.<\/p>\n
The MP argued that EPOSDC plays an important role because the development needs of East Port of Spain extend beyond large-scale construction projects.<\/p>\n
He highlighted works involving drains, retaining walls, road paving, tracks and stairs leading to hillside homes, as well as sporting facilities and community projects.<\/p>\n
Marcelle also pointed to the company’s historical involvement in social programmes, including support for camps, sporting and cultural activities, back-to-school initiatives and assistance to vulnerable families.<\/p>\n
## Funding Dispute<\/p>\n
Marcelle also presented figures which he said showed a sharp decline in development funding.<\/p>\n
He claimed approximately $15 million was previously allocated annually for social and economic programmes associated with EPOSDC.<\/p>\n
According to Marcelle, the allocation subsequently fell, with $2 million allocated in 2026 for development-related programmes.<\/p>\n
However, he alleged that EPOSDC had not received any of that $2 million.<\/p>\n
Marcelle further claimed that an infrastructure-development line item, which he said previously provided significantly larger sums for physical works across East Port of Spain, had been removed.<\/p>\n
He contrasted that situation with what he described as $14.4 million allocated for recurrent expenditure, which covers areas such as salaries, utilities and other operating expenses.<\/p>\n
Marcelle’s argument is that the company was provided resources to maintain its basic operations but was left without adequate project funding to carry out the development work for which it exists.<\/p>\n
Guardian Media separately reported Marcelle’s claims today, including his assertion that 12 employees were sent home and that EPOSDC is operating with fewer than half its regular workers. Attempts by Guardian Media to reach Housing Minister David Lee for comment were unsuccessful up to its publication time.<\/p>\n
Marcelle is calling on the Government to appoint a board, clarify the company’s future and ensure that adequate funding is provided in the next fiscal year for physical infrastructure, social and economic development and community regeneration across East Port of Spain.<\/p>\n
The Government has not yet publicly responded to the latest allegations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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