Crews work on roadway to help affected residents TRINIDAD (TG) -- Crews from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure began work on part of the collapsed La Horquette Valley Road, Sunday. Minister of Works, Emmanuel George, who was preparing to tour Petit Valley Sunday evening to assess clean-up work, spoke about the La Horquette road damage. He said the ministry “was trying to put a temporary roadway in place, hopefully for affected residents to be able to go in and out of the area by car, since they could only do so by walking.”
George said he mobilised ministers early on Saturday since he knew there would be damage after he saw roads covered in water when he went out for his 4 am morning exercise. The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has confirmed that water supplies were restored to ten northern water treatment plants, the Westvale Park booster station and to a broken western distribution main in La Horquette. Diego Martin Central MP Amery Browne said one third of his constituency was affected. He said he drove around with a team in the last two days distributing relief supplies donated by businesses and the PNM Youth League members. Browne added: “We’re still discovering households not yet reported such as a Gopaul Avenue house covered in mud, occupied by an elderly couple, who had to stay in the house overnight with no relief. I plead with the Government to ensure people get help urgently.
Flood victim Sheldon Chunu, left, is assisted in cleaning the inside of his home at Crystal Stream, Diego Martin, Sunday
“Over the years CEPEP was very instrumental in providing instant relief in these disasters. But there’s no CEPEP in Diego Martin and they had to bring contractors in from outside. “Annual weather patterns are increasingly worse, so we need to ensure things are in place to avert problems.” Browne who said there was a lot of human suffering “out there” with the situation, detailed some “horror” stories of average homeowners affected by the flooding.
The Global Youth Coalition (GYA) group was seeking meals from Prestige Holdings to give affected families in Glencoe, Petit Valley, Rich Plain and La Puerta yesterday. An email from the group said it would work with the regional corporation and Gary Griffith to distribute the meals. Griffith, however, is in London and returns Monday. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management said affected Diego Martin residents can contact the regional corporation.