Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
As he sought to explain how the Government is addressing flood mitigation in the Central region, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan declared he was not ‘Jesus’ and could not predict future flooding.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Sinanan addressed questions posed to him about the clearing of watercourses and the fixing of landslips in central Trinidad by Caroni East MP Dr Rishad Seecheran and Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes.
Sinanan revealed that watercourses at Las Lomas, El Carmen, St Helena, Kelly Village, and Warrenville will be cleared by the end of March, well ahead of the rainy season.
When asked by Seecharan whether the maintenance works will be sufficient to prevent flooding, Sinanan responded: “That question is a trick question. The ministry will do what it has to do to clear all watercourses, but I cannot guarantee there will be no flooding, else my name would have been… They would call me Jesus,” he declared.
He was also asked about landslips along Gran Couva Main Road and Cameron Road, Gran Couva.
Sinanan explained that due to the terrain and geology of the area, the section of the Couva Road in Gran Couva Village remained prone to landslips.
“The Highways Division has already completed interim repairs of the landslips located at the 12.2 kilometre and 12.3 kilometre marks,” he revealed.
Sinanan said there was an emerging landslip at the 12.1 kilometre mark.
“A geotechnical investigation was conducted to identify the options for the long-term stabilisation works of this zone. At present, the carriageway of this road is not affected,” Sinanan said.
He revealed, however, there was another landslip at the 12.4-kilometre mark which was also under repair by the Highway Division with a tentative completion date at the end of April.
Sinanan said a full slope stabilisation package, inclusive of tender, estimate, and drawings, has been prepared to address a major landslip some distance away at the 12.5-kilometre mark which has rendered the road impassable.
“This project will be tendered and awarded when funding is made available,” Sinanan said.
He noted that residents have access to their homes through Cameron Road which is under the responsibility of the Couva/ Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation.
Haynes enquired whether there would be a crackdown on heavy vehicles traversing on the alternative routes, but Sinanan said that was a matter for law enforcement. He explained there were restrictions on some vehicles passing on certain roads but noted that law enforcement has to address this matter.