MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, visited City Hall on Tuesday in an effort to introduce a number of residents of Constituency Three to Councillor Dimitri Ali.

Trotman said he met the residents on a previous occasion and heard them lament the state of their environment in Campbellville. The residents related how they had never met their constituency councillor.

Speaking briefly at the Council’s statutory meeting, Trotman said he was there to intervene because he felt the people must know their councillor.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor exited the statutory meeting and went outside to speak with the residents, who related to him that among the problems being experienced were flooding, no drainage, no street lighting, and even snakes in the streets when it rained.

“I said Council meeting is a public place; I used to be a councillor. That is what local democracy is about and today is a demonstration. Being a councillor myself, I know what the atmosphere is like. The intention today was not to be confrontational but to be conciliatory. They were a bit intimidated about coming here to meet with someone they didn’t know, so I said I will come and help with the introduction,” Trotman told reporters.

Other PPP councillor Bishram Kuppen offered that a project proposal was done and a list of works has been submitted. However, he noted that the money for such projects has not yet been released.