HISTORY OF POINT
FORTIN
POINT FORTIN BOROUGH
DAY 2000
Sunday Express
Section 2
April 30, 2000
Page 17
At
the beginning of the 20th century, (before the
discovery of oil) Point Fortin was an agricultural community with three
distinct and separately owned cocoa and coconut estates.
These
estates were sparsely populated.
Employment was provided for a small number of workers who depended on
the estates for their living accommodation as well as their food and other
supplies. Travel in and out of Point
Fortin was by coastal steamers as there was no road into or out of the
area. The inhabited area was located
along the seacoast.
In
1907, the Trinidad Oilfields moved into Point Fortin on an expedition for the
exploration of oil and sank its first oil well on the La Fortunee Estates. That company turned out to be the only one
that survived successfully, although there had been several similar expeditions
by other oil companies.
The
company later changed its name to the United British Oilfields of Trinidad then
became Shell Trinidad Limited. In 1974
it was acquired by the Government and named TRINTOC or the Trinidad and Tobago
Oil Company, today known as Petrotrin.
The
change from an agricultural to an oil based economy made a significant impact
in Point Fortin. There was rapid
development in the construction of dwelling houses, plant, pipelines and oil
tanks in the area. Point Fortin was
booming and labour, particularly skilled labour for the new technology, was
scarce and posed a major problem.
Trinidadians did not seem to be attracted to the area.
Although
people migrated from all over the country, the population in 1931 was less than
500. There were very few houses, no
schools, and recreational and other facilities. As a result Trinidadians who went to work in Point Fortin never
took their families with them.
However,
this changed when the company realised that in order to attract and retain
workers, they needed to develop the area.
This encouraged families to settle in the area, and coupled with a growth
in the commercial sector, brought about such facilities as a post office,
police station as well as other governmental agencies and banks.
In
the 1960s the town began to see a decline due to massive retrenchment. The Government tried to revive the economic
activity and eventually succeeded in establishing the Dunlop Tyre Factory. However the economic revival was only
achieved in the early 1970s as a result of the Oil boom and the acquisition of
Shell Trinidad Limited by the government.
Following
the take over there was considerable political focus on the area. The oil boom brought hope not only for the
economic recovery of the area but also for its political development.
According
to the book A History of Modern Trinidad, 1793 - 1962, by Dr. Bridget
Bereton:
"Point
Fortin became the first centre of oilfield operations as a port and a
developing town ship. In 1907 Trinidad
Oilfields Ltd., set up base at La Fortunee Estate, Point Fortin, in what is now
Trintoc's Industrial Area, and buildings and clay roads were built in a region
that had been wild bush and abandoned estates.
After UBOT took over in 1913, a refinery, a jetty, houses, railways and
pipelines were constructed and a crude but flourishing town sprung up. Point Fortin was, in fact, 'the town that
oil built,' growing up in the space of fifty years from a forest clearing with
a few rough huts to a modern town of about 30,000 people."
Development
of the area brought with it a new awareness of economic, cultural,
psychological and political environment.
The citizens sought to improve their life by managing their own affairs
at the local level.
Point
Fortin was at this time one of eleven districts making up the St Patrick Count
Council, which was serviced by one representative/councillor. The decision-making centre for the area was
located at Siparia some 22 miles from Point Fortin.
The
Point Fortin people felt they would be better off managing their own
affairs. They sought and successfully
obtained the decentralization of their area from the St Patrick County
Council. On April 30th 1980
Point Fortin was made a Borough.
POINT FORTIN BOROUGH
DAY 2000
Sunday Express
Section 2
April 30, 2000
Page 17
Today
Point Fortin is a vibrant borough, home to over 20,000 persons.
It
continues to be a home for industry, including Atlantic LNG Train one and soon
to be constructed Trains two and three.
According
to Mayor Francis Bertrand, with the necessary input, Point Fortin has the
potential to become the next city in this country.
"Point
Fortin has a wealth of opportunities but the necessary resources must be put in
place," he said.
He
explained that paramount to the development of the area is the construction of
a reliable port and jetty and a proper road system.
He
pointed out that big industries have already come to the area, however he said
these big industries provide temporary employment, but in the end only a few
highly skilled persons find full-time employment.
He
said it is important that the relevant authorities ensure that some of the
income generated by these big industries, should be re-invested in Point
Fortin.
In
other words they must contribute significantly to the development of the
community he said.
Bertrand
said there is also great potential for agriculture in Point Fortin.
He
said there might be idle parcels of land in the Point Fortin area that can be
developed for agriculture.
"Most
of these idle lands belong to Petrotrin.
About 65% of the land in Point Fortin belongs to them, they should hand
over these idle lands to the people so that they can be used profitably and
contribute to the development of the community," he said.
He
stressed though that a highway to Point Fortin is somewhat of a necessity to
the continued development of the area.
He
said that no matter how attractive a business climate, without a proper road,
the borough would be at a disadvantage.
"A
road is a pre-requisite to development," said Bertrand.
He
proposed a system whereby the Central Government can put the necessary
mechanisms in place to allow each community to maintain their own roadways.
The
Mayor said he would also like to encourage Servol to return to Point Fortin so
as to "capture the school-leavers who may have not done so well at exams."
He
lamented the fact that many youths were coming out of the secondary school
system without a proper education and finding themselves at a loss.
"Many
youths find themselves without these necessary skills, such as reading and
writing, and this could pose serious problems for them as they grow
older," he said.
The
Mayor said he hopes that the New Point Fortin Chamber of Commerce, which was
launched earlier this year, will help to develop both business and civic
interests in the area.