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Calls are growing for Princes Town to be considered for borough status, with residents and business representatives arguing that the southern Trinidad municipality deserves greater recognition for its commercial activity and development. The issue has gained attention after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar signalled the Government's intention to introduce legislation that would designate several municipalities across Trinidad as boroughs. Princes Town was not included in the group identified in the Prime Minister's recent announcement. However, regional corporation chairman Gowrie Roopnarine told the Sunday Express that the council intended to advocate for the town's elevation in the future. 'I support the submission by the Government. Later on we will be looking for Princes Town becoming a borough as we in Princes Town will be making requests as well,' Roopnarine said, according to the Trinidad Express report. He argued that borough status could bring benefits for the area and its residents. In his view, properties could become more valuable, while businesses and the wider public could benefit from the recognition associated with the designation. He acknowledged, however, that the council had not previously made a formal request and was still considering the matter. Alicia Ali, a businesswoman and former executive member of the Princes Town Business Association, also welcomed the prospect. She described the area as developed beyond its traditional town centre, with businesses extending towards Matilda and Fairfield. She said borough recognition would be welcome, particularly if it came with the funding needed to improve the area. Ali also pointed to Princes Town's attraction for shoppers, especially around Boxing Day, when seasonal sales draw crowds. She expressed a desire for businesses to cooperate and for the town to receive further improvements. The report places Princes Town's case within a longer history of serving as a connection between communities in southern and eastern Trinidad. The town centre links commuters travelling between San Fernando and eastern coastal communities such as Mayaro and Rio Claro, as well as Tabaquite, Williamsville and Moruga. The surrounding commercial area includes banks, groceries, clothing stores and other businesses that draw customers from across the island. The area's historical connections also predate its current commercial role. Once known as the Savanna Grande mission, it appeared on early maps of Trinidad. Its present name is linked to the visit of British princes Albert and George, who travelled through the area in 1880 while touring aboard HMS Bacchante on their way to the Devil's Woodyard mud volcanoes. Roopnarine said industrialisation and economic growth could be among the factors considered when assessing borough status, although he acknowledged that he was not certain what criteria would ultimately determine the decision. The Trinidad Express report also noted that the Municipal Corporations Act does not strictly define a borough and that Princes Town remains a municipality with established boundaries. For now, the proposal remains an aspiration rather than an approved change in status. Roopnarine's comments indicate that the regional council intends to seek borough recognition, while Ali's support reflects a local business perspective that links the designation to investment and improvements. Any formal decision will depend on the Government's process and the requirements applied to municipalities seeking the status.
Calls are growing for Princes Town to be considered for borough status, with residents and business representatives arguing that the southern Trinidad municipality deserves greater recognition for its commercial activity and development. The issue has gained attention after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar signalled the Government’s intention to introduce legislation that would designate several municipalities across Trinidad as boroughs.
Princes Town was not included in the group identified in the Prime Minister’s recent announcement. However, regional corporation chairman Gowrie Roopnarine told the Sunday Express that the council intended to advocate for the town’s elevation in the future.
‘I support the submission by the Government. Later on we will be looking for Princes Town becoming a borough as we in Princes Town will be making requests as well,’ Roopnarine said, according to the Trinidad Express report.
He argued that borough status could bring benefits for the area and its residents. In his view, properties could become more valuable, while businesses and the wider public could benefit from the recognition associated with the designation. He acknowledged, however, that the council had not previously made a formal request and was still considering the matter.
Alicia Ali, a businesswoman and former executive member of the Princes Town Business Association, also welcomed the prospect. She described the area as developed beyond its traditional town centre, with businesses extending towards Matilda and Fairfield. She said borough recognition would be welcome, particularly if it came with the funding needed to improve the area.
Ali also pointed to Princes Town’s attraction for shoppers, especially around Boxing Day, when seasonal sales draw crowds. She expressed a desire for businesses to cooperate and for the town to receive further improvements.
The report places Princes Town’s case within a longer history of serving as a connection between communities in southern and eastern Trinidad. The town centre links commuters travelling between San Fernando and eastern coastal communities such as Mayaro and Rio Claro, as well as Tabaquite, Williamsville and Moruga. The surrounding commercial area includes banks, groceries, clothing stores and other businesses that draw customers from across the island.
The area’s historical connections also predate its current commercial role. Once known as the Savanna Grande mission, it appeared on early maps of Trinidad. Its present name is linked to the visit of British princes Albert and George, who travelled through the area in 1880 while touring aboard HMS Bacchante on their way to the Devil’s Woodyard mud volcanoes.
Roopnarine said industrialisation and economic growth could be among the factors considered when assessing borough status, although he acknowledged that he was not certain what criteria would ultimately determine the decision. The Trinidad Express report also noted that the Municipal Corporations Act does not strictly define a borough and that Princes Town remains a municipality with established boundaries.
For now, the proposal remains an aspiration rather than an approved change in status. Roopnarine’s comments indicate that the regional council intends to seek borough recognition, while Ali’s support reflects a local business perspective that links the designation to investment and improvements. Any formal decision will depend on the Government’s process and the requirements applied to municipalities seeking the status.
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