Opposition MP Prakash Ramadhar criticised Government yesterday for failing to provide meals, cleaning agents and mattresses to more than 800 residents in Bamboo Settlement, Valsayn, who were adversely affected by Sunday’s widespread flooding.
His comments came hours after several homes in Bamboo Settlements 1, 2 and 3 were flooded when the St Joseph River overflowed its bank.
Ramadhar called on the State to respond to the plight of his constituents and others severely affected and “not just deliver cosmetic comfort” during a natural disaster.
“At this point in time the villagers are self-helping really,” said the St Augustine MP remained with the residents for several hours to bring them comfort. He said had it not been for Subway and Prestige Holdings, who provided 500 lunches, the residents would have remained hungry.
The Opposition MP said up to midday, no cleaning agents had been provided by the State to sanitise homes filled with two feet of water. He said his office has been making calls to state agencies since the water starter rising but got no positive responses.
According to Ramadhar, with the exception of the protective services, “in terms of the provision of any materials, unfortunately, we have not had that.” He said first responders from the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation had not even provided mattresses to the residents.
“We should have a better-structured approach,” he said.
“For too long we have been relying on the charity of citizens but there will come a time when that will even be so strained and the need so great that they would not be able to meet it.”
The MP appealed to citizens to make donations or assist those in need in whatever way they can.
He said Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein had promised to help.
The residents were assisted by a businessman who donated sandwiches
In Bamboo No 3, Ramadhar estimated 800 residents had been affected.
“There are others who were also hit by the water, so the figures could be far more,” he said.
Ramadhar said WASA had the audacity to charge farmers earlier this year for siphoning water out of rivers for their crops.
During a brief tour of Bamboo Settlement 3, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said the flooding was caused by a breach in the San Juan River. He said to get the water out, an industrial pump has been pushing 15,000 gallons of water out of Bamboo Settlement into the Caroni River “every minute.”
Last year’s floods had affected 250,000 people with the same level of rainfall, he said, adding that Sunday’s floods had affected fewer people.
“And today, one day after that downpour, the majority of Trinidadians' lives would have gone back to normal. Our rivers were able to contain the water . . . give or take three of four rivers at the lowest point would have toppled its banks,” he said.