Caroni villagers to host post-flood meeting

The villagers are holding the meeting as a means to express their unhappiness at the response by Government to their plight, following extensive and damaging flooding that occurred in the area.

The villagers recently suffered enormous damage to their property and household effects after the flood that came in the wake of heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Emily.

At the meeting, villagers plan to express their concern and dissatisfaction at the "lacklustre, uncaring and cosmetic response" that they received from Local and Central Government as well as from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, concerning the flooding, and to compare it to what they call the "expeditious, large scale and substantial assistance" afforded to flooded communities in the East-West corridor.

The villagers wish to highlight the poor internal drainage network in Caroni and plan to make a case for compensation from Government because of their belief that the flooding in Caroni resulted directly from the $22 million embankment works being undertaken in the upper reaches of the Caroni River.

Finally, at the meeting, the villagers plan to bring to the attention of Works Minister, Colm Imbert, the negligence of the contractor who allegedly failed to complete the Guaymare Bridge along the Southern Main Road which collapsed during the floods and is currently causing a traffic nightmare for drivers and commuters alike.