Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen continued the government’s initiative to provide relief to communities prone to flooding. On Tuesday, the Minister and her team visited areas within the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation to see firsthand the work of the regional corporation. The Minister commended the corporation for doing the work with their own resources, with assistance from both the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.
Joining the Minister at the Coco Loco River was Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo, Phillip Watts. The MP said residents of his constituency can now breathe a sigh of relief as the dredging of the watercourses in the constituency will ensure a degree of security for homes and properties. He said discussions have been held with the regional corporation regarding other flood-mitigating measures.
And Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Ryan Rampersad said lack of maintenance is one of the main factors that causes the flooding of the communities under his remit; he said the corporation’s employees have been doing a herculean job over the years and look forward to more collaboration and assistance from the government.
Minister Ameen emphasised that the flood mitigation exercise is not a political process. The Minister and her team also visited the Penal/Debe and Siparia Regional Corporations and the Rural Development Company in Couva.