Chamber demands firefighting resources

THE Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday called on National Security Minister Martin Joseph and Chief Fire Officer Lennox Alfred to ensure that all the necessary resources are put in place to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s devastating fire in Port-of-Spain. In a statement of sympathy to all those affected by the fire, the chamber described the fire as “a substantial setback for Port-of-Spain which has been trying to assert itself as the hub of Caribbean businesses over the last few years.” The chamber said notwithstanding the valiant efforts of firefighters, police and army personnel to bring the situation under control, it still had very grave concerns about the events of last weekend.

The chamber said it was particularly concerned that despite statements made by the Fire Services and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) about this weekend’s fire, both organisations were aware of deficiencies that existed in the system since 2001 and, to date, nothing has been implemented. The chamber said Alfred and Joseph must “accept responsibility for ensuring that all the resources required for providing this critical public service for which they are accountable to taxpayers, are provided speedily and maintained in an acceptable, consistent and sustained manner.”