Kamla unhappy with flood $$

Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar and chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, Dr Allen Sammy, yesterday called on Prime Minister Patrick Manning to honour public promises made during the tour of flooded areas under the purview of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation. Persad-Bissessar met with Sammy yesterday to discuss the “crisis” facing constituents of Siparia, Oropouche and Naparima as a result of flooding in mid-November. In a joint statement they said, “In particular, we ask him to honour the promise that he would provide the money to do whatever it takes to deal with the flooding problem.” They appealed for the government to stop politicising its flood relief initiatives and demonstrate equity in the allocation of resources.

Yesterday, the Local Government Ministry announced that the corporation would receive $1.3 million for an action plan to deal with flooded areas. The corporation had asked for $15.4 million and the proposal was reasonable and came from a “realistic” survey of losses suffered by victims and possible cost of compensation. It was based on “measures needed for immediate relief and more permanent preventative schemes.” Persad-Bissessar cited repairs to wooden bridges, retaining walls, collapsed box drains, and clearing of entrances to homes. She said at a meeting of senior Government officials, chaired by the head of the Public Service, funding was decreased and certain measures were eliminated.