More than flood mitigation, effective partnerships are being created.
This was the statement at the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation when Rural Development representatives visited as part of the 2025 Flood Mitigation and Shelter Management Exercise.
The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen is developing partnerships with various organisations to better approach flood mitigation efforts. One of those organisations is the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited or SWMCOL.
“And I am pleased to say that our discussions are centered around how SWMCOL’s mandate impacts on local government and how regional corporations can play a role in improving waste management to have environmentally friendly and environmentally sustainable initiatives.
That will also have an impact on local economic development because our government is committed to increasing employment, increasing jobs, and increasing revenue earning opportunities for our communities.”
County Superintendent at the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Raymond Seuchan continued the discussion to how partnerships with stakeholders could lead to more efficient workflows.
“The persons who live within the corporation, not necessarily the councillors, will have a better idea of what can prevent the flooding. And this is what we want to get. We can clean what is our drains. But when we reach the Ministry of Works drain, we’re in problems. So we would need those solutions to pass to the minister so she can take it to another level.”
Minister Ameen indicated a high level of collaboration with the Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John. Minister John reportedly received Cabinet approval for the cleaning of over 200 watercourses which will directly impact the flood mitigation efforts of the Rural Development and Local Government ministry.