St. Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen says Ministries and state agencies must uphold their duty to provide essential services to “at-risk” communities, despite challenges posed by crime.

This morning Ms Ameen visited the Trainline on Freeman Road, which is recognized as a crime hotspot.

She was accompanied by the drainage division and police officers as they discussed flooding, erosion and other issues affecting the major watercourse flowing through the community.

Ms Ameen said depriving “at-risk” communities of essential services exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and undermines efforts to address the root causes of crime and social unrest.

Ms Ameen says over the years, she intervened where there were security concerns to facilitate services such as spraying for mosquitoes, drainage works, garbage collection and the construction of box drains.