A quick response from firefighters averted a possible explosion of a Petrotrin gas pipeline this morning.
They hurriedly extinguished heaps of burning debris near the pipeline along Suchit Trace, Penal this morning as angry residents protested deplorable road conditions.
The demonstrators also vowed to stop trucks from entering the construction site of the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension, if their road was not paved.
The protests began before dawn and took the police by surprise. Residents dragged heaps of tyres and old wooden pallettes across the street which connects Debe Trace to Penal in the Oropouche
West constituency.
Burning barricades were set up along four areas and police blocked off access close to the SS Erin Road while firemen extinguished the flames.
Residents said since the highway construction began six months ago, the road has been in a deplorable state.
Spokesperson Chabinath Ramnanan said children were getting rashes on their skin because of the dust coming from the construction site.
PNM candidate for Oropouche West Clifford Rambharose visited the residents who are represented by Oropouche West MP Stacy Roopnarine.
) officials said they were investigating the residents' concerns.