Laventille Hills

SEVERAL areas of Trou Macaque Road in Laventille were closed off to vehicular traffic yesterday when angry residents blocked major roads with burning debris during an early-morning protest over a lack of pipe-borne water, no street lights and terrible road conditions.

The protest started at about 4 am with dozens of irate residents saying they were fed-up of what they described as “poor” the respresentation they were getting from their elected Member of Parliament and councillors.

At about 4 am, the residents threw debris and old, rusted pieces of iron across major roads which made it impossible for vehicles to move in or out of the area. Persons wishing to get out of the area, were forced to walk long distances before securing transportation.

Port-of-Spain Division police were sent to the protest scene to ensure law and order. Heavy equipment from the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation was sent to clear the roads of debris.

Under the watchful eyes of armed police, the residents chanted and vowed to continue their action until their woes were addressed.

Some residents even sat across the roadway to prevent the backhoe operators from removing the debris. Firefighters were also called to the area to extinguish fires. The residents said crews from WASA along with a private contractor dug up the road last year to connect water mains to the residents’ homes. However, the damage to the road was not repaired thereby making it very difficult for cars to negotiate the rough terrain left by the WASA crew.

The residents also complained bitterly about a lack of proper garbage disposal systems and no street lights at Green Acres leading to Mahabir Court. Police sources said officers were sent to carry out round the clock patrols to ensure no further protests are carried out. However, the residents vowed to keep up their action.

A release from WASA stated that in an effort to improve the reliability of water to the Trou Macaque area, a pipe laying contract for laying 800 metres of six-inch pipes to the main, was awarded to a contractor and work commenced in November.

WASA noted that the project should be completed by the end of this week.