Opposition MP for Oropouche West Davendranth Tancoo has responded to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan

BY A STAFF REPORTER

 Earlier in an interview with ie News Minister Sinanan noted that despite the pumps being here some 5 weeks ago, several measures would have to be executed including infrastructural work…

Now, According to the MP, speaking with ie News on the matter, the Minister had sufficient time several months ago to make the necessary arrangements.

It was on a facebook post that Mr Tancoo said that the Minister claims there is no geographical discrimination yet he himself admitted that over 70% of the landslides in the country exist in Central and South Trinidad yet there is no reciprocal spend in these areas to address these issues.

Mr Tancoo noted that the same can be said for the works to mitigate floods where according to the Financial Scrutiny Unit, “a total of $2.8 million was utilised for the continuation of projects under the Programme of Upgrade to Existing Drainage Pumps and Gate Inventory which is implemented by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT). The programme involved the upgrade of pump stations and the replacement and rehabilitation of sluice gates and flap gates across Trinidad.

Among the major achievements under the programme included were: • the upgrade of the Tulsa Trace (Penal) pump house • upgrades of the gates at St. John’s in Fyzabad have been completed; • upgrades of gates at Trinidad Point in Woodland are at sixty-six (66) percent completion.”

Mr Tancoo said checks to date on these projects showed that the Tulsa Trace pump house and gate structure are less than 50% completed and works abandoned, while the Floodgates at St. John’s Fyzabad and Trinidad Point at Woodland remain incomplete despite the Minister's assurances of "ongoing works" months ago.

Meantime, responding to Minister Sinanan’s allegation that it is not the bad roads which is the problem and cause for current protests in Central and South Trinidad rather the UNC’s October revolution exercises taking place, Mr Tancoo charged that for far too long the neglect has been obvious. He said roads aside, residents are fed up of being mistreated and ignored.