A glaring deficiency in public amenities at two of Trinidad’s most frequented locations has triggered substantial public dismay, highlighting systemic infrastructure neglect. City Gate, Port of Spain’s primary transportation hub serving hundreds of daily commuters including schoolchildren, exhibits critically inadequate facilities with merely a single functional female toilet available for massive public use.
The situation becomes particularly dire for vulnerable demographics including elderly citizens, pregnant women, and disabled individuals who find no wheelchair-accessible facilities. The absence of baby changing stations further compounds the problem, denying mothers basic infant care infrastructure.
Parallel deficiencies plague the Queen’s Park Savannah food court, another popular public gathering spot. During a December 13 visit, the author experienced firsthand the embarrassing reality of insufficient sanitation facilities. Despite the area’s popularity among food vendors and visitors, only one toilet exists which frequently remains locked during operational hours.
The infrastructure crisis extends beyond sanitation to include inadequate seating arrangements. City Gate suffers from insufficient benches for commuters awaiting PTSC bus services, despite known reliability issues with public transportation.
Critical questions emerge regarding compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OHSA) regulations, particularly concerning clean water availability and overall facility maintenance. While authorities cite concerns about socially displaced persons misusing facilities, the solution of hiring security personnel remains unimplemented.
The author’s frustration reflects broader public sentiment toward perceived stagnation in societal development, with comparisons to ‘banana republic’ conditions and ‘caveman era’ infrastructure. As 2025 progresses, citizens demand urgent modernization of public facilities across Trinidad’s popular gathering points, calling for immediate action from relevant ministries and administrative bodies.