The Ministry of Works will move full speed ahead to alleviate flooding as the rainy season progresses.
The assurance was given by line minister Jack Warner when he and officials of the Ministry's Drainage Division in toured constituencies of Chaguanas West, Couva North and Tabaquite on Thursday. Warner was appalled to see residents still throwing mounds of garbage into watercourses which clogged drains and caused flooding. He said a greater public education campaign must take place. He said the Ministry of Works also would look at ways of controlling the construction of illegal structures near the wetlands on the boundary of the Caroni swamp, Felicity.
Some people in that area had erected several houses and bridges without permission, he said.
Warner said he also learned a land developer was preparing real estate near the Caroni cremation site without permission. He directed that to the attention of Chaguanas mayor Orlando Nagessar who said work would be stopped immediately. Warner said a detention pond also was being constructed near the Connector Road to alleviate flooding in the Charlieville area. Warner also said he had discovered people were building on river banks in the reserved area. He said that made it difficult for his ministry to conduct work when that happened.