Business as usual for Jack

At 8.30 am, Warner who is also the Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West, privately visited the building housing the Marsicans Steel Orchestra at the Arima Old Road, off Saroga Drive, which was damaged by heightened levels of river water. Warner later visited the site again at about 4.30 pm, in the company of the media.

“I have work to do here,” a sombre-looking Warner told reporters at the site. Officials of the steel orchestra said the retaining wall at the east of the property collapsed due to the diversion of river-water caused by works being done by the Drainage Division of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

But officials of the Ministry yesterday said the construction of retaining walls which has been in progress since December, did not cause the walls to collapse.

“I am not of the view that that project caused this problem,” said Shamshan Mohammed, head of the division. He said the blocks used to construct the Marsican’s retaining wall were inadequate.

Mohammed could not say whether compensation will be paid to the Marsicans. A report on the incident will be prepared, he said.

Warner toured the site and also inspected government housing units which are on the bank of the Mausica River and not far off. Residents complained that the units have cracked walls because the land is slipping. Some of the residents who came out to meet Warner later told reporters now that Warner has quit from all football related activities, they are hoping for even greater service from him in his capacity as a minister and MP.