Matelot’s soft spots

Equipment such as bulldozers and excavators were at the site, ready to respond. But the road was impassable.

While aspects of the short-term response are working, questions remain about more long-term issues such as road and infrastructure maintenance, community- level evacuation/disaster preparedness and development planning.

The North Coast has repeatedly been touted as an area prime for development. Whether through the pie-in-the sky plan for a Maracas tunnel to open up access or the more recent request for proposals for the establishment of a Toco/ Tobago ferry facility, there is always talk about the possible gains that could be had nationally.

Development in the region would not only benefit local communities but would also help diversify the economy.

Yet, important questions must be asked about the state of the road network there, the impact of environmentally degrading practices __ both unsanctioned and sanctioned __ that have gone on for years and that have contributed to damage to the road network, as well as the capacity of State-planning agencies to clear the way by more adequately policing development, especially on the seafront.

The fallen bridges, the landslides, debris and blown-off roofs are reminders of the multi-sectoral effort required to develop the area to meet its fullest potential.

This must involve both State action and private sector compliance with standards.

We endorse and echo Rondon’s call for the entire nation to offer support.

It is clear that people will now be homeless, others would have had their properties seriously damaged and would have suffered thousands of dollars in damage.

Fishermen have already said they have lost boats.

Thousands of villagers in these vulnerable rural areas have been left in desperate need of food, water, mattresses, and other supplies.

Yet again, the incident shows up our vulnerability to the serious damage that can be caused simply by torrential rainfall.

The Meteorological Office, in a bulletin issued at 5 am on Wednesday, said the inclement weather conditions were related to local dynamics in a moist and unstable atmosphere.

It urged citizens to be cautious and to pay attention to weather bulletins, but underscored that the country is not under any tropical storm threat, watch or warning.

It is ironic that while the two major political parties were engaging in a war of words over who will control Sangre Grande, nature dramatically pushed that corporation over the edge into disaster.

What is at stake in the battle for control is the viability of the corporation itself; its capacity to better respond to natural disasters and to defend itself from the wear and tear of the forces of nature.

Luckily, there were no initial reports of any fatalities.

We also welcome Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein’s declaration that resources from the neighbouring Arima Borough Corporation and the Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation will be deployed to bolster those of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation during this time. Every effort must be made to get the region back on its feet.