Each week, the Guardian Angel column highlights complaints sent in by you, the consumer, and provides solutions or directs you to the appropriate resource.
Problem: Margaret Belfon said for many years her community in Kingdom Road Extension, Maturita Trace, Arima, has been complaining to the relevant authorities about the poor drainage in the area.Ms Belfon said, "We sent requests and complaint letters and filed petitions to councillors from the previous and present governments but to no avail.
"Due to heavy rainfall throughout the years, the drain is now caving into the roadway, and is the cause of various types of mosquito infestations, including the Aedes aegypti, which spreads dengue. A young man from the area contracted dengue and passed away approximately three years ago."On behalf of everyone who lives in this community, we are pleading once again for the construction of a proper drainage system."
Solution: The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation was contacted.The Guardian Angel was told that private roads are not under the purview of the corporation and any repairs need to be handled by the owners.However, if it is a public road, the corporation will look into the matter to determine what work needs to be done.Ms Belfon said Kingdom Road Extension is not a private road and drainage works were begun years ago, but were never completed.
Problem: Jean Barrington, from Guapo, said, "I bought a stove for my mum in Standards, Coffee Street, San Fernando, branch in December 2012 and took the platinum guarantee plan as well."Ever since the purchase, I have had numerous problems. The burner smokes, the door to the oven is rusted and falling apart. We have made numerous complaints and had over seven service calls in one year."I have asked for a replacement stove but keep getting the runaround."
Solution: Ms Barrington's complaint was forwarded to Standards' customer care manager, who contacted Ms Barrington and the company's service department to gather all the pertinent information.Ms Barrington's stove will be collected by the service department and she will be provided with a loaner in the interim.
Even as you're encouraged to take the appropriate routes for addressing your complaints, the Guardian Angel is here to assist you. You can send the Guardian Angel an e-mail about your problem and what steps you took to deal with the matter.The Guardian Angel looks forward to hearing from you and bringing some relief to your problems.
E-mail her at angel@guardian.co.tt. Please include your name, address and telephone number as we'll need them to follow up with you. Unfortunately, owing to the volume of e-mails and limited space, it is impossible to address every complaint, no matter how worthy, or acknowledge receipt of every e-mail.