In 2010, CCTV cameras will be fully operational on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway and tougher measures will be put in place with respect to vehicle inspection stations, Transport Minister Colm Imbert has assured.

Imbert made the promise in response to Opposition MP Roodal Moonilal’s contribution to the Provisional Taxes Order in the Parliament on Wednesday night. Moonilal raised concern over the number of deaths on the nation’s road and called on Government to say when the CCTV cameras and breathalyser laws would be implemented.

Imbert did not reveal the exact dates for the breathalyser, but with respect to the CCTV cameras, he said, ’The contract, it is with a group called the IBI group in joint venture with a local company. The contract period is approximately nine months, they started about a month ago, which is August, so I would expect by April or May the cameras would be fully operational on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway... To give you a broad estimate, I would say within the next fiscal year.’

’I’ll show you a picture of yourself,’ quipped Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Moonilal appealed for CCTV cameras to be also installed along the Mosquito Creek and other areas in southern Trinidad with high incidents of accidents.

Opposition MP Subhas Panday, in his contribution, expressed concern over faulty vehicles on the road and the quality of vehicle testing stations.

’I personally do intend to make my best effort ... to bring all the necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Road traffic Act by the end of this year, or by January for the latest, to deal with all these things. The introduction of radar guns, tightening the laws with respect to vehicle testing stations,’ Imbert said in response to the concern.