00:01Shogonis' Mayor, Faik Mohamed, is highlighting the potential benefits of the planned upgrade
00:06in the status of the borough as part of a planned major overhaul of the local government system in Trinidad,
00:12announced by Prime Minister Kamra Passat-Besessa in an interview with the Express newspaper.
00:19City status represents an opportunity for Shogonis to embrace its identity as one of the country's leading urban centers.
00:26It can strengthen the city's profile, attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship,
00:33and reinforce Shogonis as a destination for commerce, education, culture, and community development.
00:41Shogonis is presently one of the five existing boroughs out of the 14 municipalities in Trinidad.
00:47Shogonis has grown far beyond the traditional boundaries of a borough.
00:52It has emerged as one of Trinidad and Tobago's most important centers of commerce, enterprise, education, transportation, and community life.
01:04The idea of Shogonis becoming a city is not new.
01:09The Mayor of Shogonis has said the borough's pending elevation to city status is supported by data.
01:16The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,
01:25ECLAC, identified Shogonis as one of Trinidad and Tobago's three major urban centers.
01:31Its study found that the Shogonis urban centers grew approximately 39,592 people in the year 2000 to 61,494
01:47in 2020,
01:50representing a population growth of more than 55%.
01:54Mayor Mohamed added that the study also showed Shogonis' built-up area also expanded by approximately 60% over the
02:03same period.
02:04Presently, the nation has two cities, which are Port of Spain, the capital, which is in north Trinidad,
02:10and San Fernando, which is in south Trinidad.
02:14Shogonis has earned its place among Trinidad and Tobago's cities through decades of growth, enterprise, hard work, and community building.
02:22The opposition PNM has raised their concerns about the 2026 amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act
02:30being brought to Parliament by the UNC-led government.
02:34Mayor Mohamed recalled an announcement that had been made 16 years ago
02:39when the UNC-led People's Partnership was in government.
02:43In 2010, Prime Minister Kamala Prasad-Bissessa publicly spoke of Shogonis heading towards city status
02:50and described it as the fastest-growing borough at that time.
02:55The vision has remained relevant because Shogonis has continued to grow.
03:02For many years, residents, businesses, community leaders, and people across central Trinidad
03:10have recognized that Shogonis has outgrown the traditional concept of a borough.
03:16Today, that long-standing aspiration is becoming a reality.
03:22The Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill 2026 is listed on the order paper
03:28for Wednesday's sitting of the House of Representatives
03:31and is to be piloted by the Rural Development and Local Government Minister.
03:36Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:38Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:42Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:43Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
