Our capital city, Port of Spain (POS), is losing its place as the capital of the nation, and the current government appears to have no interest in maintaining POS as a beautiful space filled with high standards.  At the last Diwali celebration, the Prime Minister invited U.S. representatives to her personal home instead of the official residence. Small as it seemed, this moment highlighted a bigger problem, which to me is the Prime Minister’s continued attempt to disassociate with the capital city.  This was once a vibrant hub of politics, business, and culture, and it now faces aging roads, neglected buildings, and fewer people living in the city center.

Based on a 2019 planning report UN-Habitat, the city of Port of Spain has about 48,000 people compared to about 94,000 in 1962.  At that time, the city was a place to visit because it was filled with entertainment and restaurants.  Today, Port of Spain is a place where people are afraid to be once it is dark.  Port of Spain must be restored as long as it is the capital city, or change the capital, especially if you wish to make our new capital San Fernando, Chaguanas, or Siparia.

In 2016, Afra Raymond commented on his website that “our capital has been severely depopulated in the past 50 years”.  He further commented that: “Given that there has been no natural disaster, war or plague, it is sobering to consider this steady population loss and its causes during that period of relative peace and prosperity.”

While there are several things that need to be done to reestablish POS, it would be effective if we began by focusing on improving the quality of the roads.  Secondly, there are several buildings that should be restored and/or redesigned to attract more residents to the city. These priorities are mutually connected. Without good roads, life and business in the city are difficult. Without well-maintained buildings, the city loses its character. Without residents, it becomes just a place of offices rather than a living community.

Roads are the lifeblood of any city. Congestion, potholes, and poor maintenance make commuting frustrating for residents and visitors. Upgrading streets would improve daily life and show that the capital is valued.

Buildings carry history and identity. From the Red House to the Magnificent Seven, near Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain has architectural treasures. Many are deteriorating or underused. Renovating them would preserve heritage, boost civic pride, and attract visitors.

Port of Spain should not be only an administrative center. It should be the heart of Trinidad and Tobago — a place where people live, work, and enjoy city life. By improving roads, restoring buildings, and bringing more residents back to the city, Port of Spain can reclaim its status and vibrancy. Either invest in improving our capital city or let us vote on selecting a new capital city.  Whichever is selected, the bottom line is that POS needs to be upgraded by the Government.