Police foil fiery Gran Couva protest (with CNC3 video)

As protest in Sea Lots flared yesterday, Gran Couva residents also attempted to stage a fiery protest for a reliable pipeborne water supply and better roads, but their plans were foiled by police.

Police in tactical gear seized heaps of tyres before dawn, so the residents embarked on a more sedate placard protest. Chanting: “We want water,” they stuck placards along the street. The drama began before 6 am when scores of residents lined the Gran Couva Main Road, close to Pepper Village and Brasso Junction, calling for better facilities in their community. 

Spokesman Everold Williams said the people of La Vega, Brasso and Gran Couva were frustrated because of rural neglect. “We have no bus for the elderly, no community centre for the children and our roads are in a deplorable state,” Williams said. He said the Gran Couva Main Road connected Couva to Brasso and was an important communication link.
“Thousands of people use this road to get to Rio Claro, Flanagin Town and San Pedro. We are tired of them neglecting us. What is worse is that we are suffering for water,” Williams said.

Tongue lashing for Ramadharsingh

“We get water once per week on Fridays for a mere three hours. People cannot wash their clothes.” He charged that a WASA supervisor was responsible for turning the water supply to the district on and off. He also said parts of the Gran Couva Road were affected by land slippage that was responsible for destroying many homes. Videsh Ramlal said he is currently living in his garage because of a landslip. 

“My house fall down and I begging for accommodation for months now. I went to the MP office in December and they told me that they will get back to me. I am still waiting,” Ramlal said. He added that the minister’s secretary told him not to call the office because of his “attitude.” “My house falling apart and I have nowhere to stay and they are not treating me as a priority. Just now my garage will fall too,” Ramlal said. Another resident, Ilis Bellile, said the youths of Gran Couva had no place for recreation and the community had been neglected for too long. 

Couva Central MP Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh arrived at the protest site and appeased the crowds by scheduling a meeting to discuss their problems. He said he would speak to Minister of the Environment and Water Resources Ganga Singh to rectify the water woes. Ramadharsingh also told residents he would meet with them at 5.30 pm today to discuss issues affecting them.