Central MP: Give money to flood victims

MEMBER of Parliament for Caroni Central, Hamza Rafeeq, is calling for monetary compensation for his constituents following millions of dollars in losses from flooding. He will also make another attempt to have the matter debated in Parliament on Friday. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Rafeeq said residents of Caparo, Mamoral and other areas in central Trinidad have had to deal with at least eight floods this year. Last week alone, their homes were flooded for three days — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

He said millions have been lost in household articles, food crops and livestock. While the nation is feeling the effects, because of rising food prices Rafeeq said “poor people depended on food crops and livestocks, as (these were) their only means of a livelihood.” He said he hoped “government would offer compensation to those who lost food crops and it will be a good gesture for them to give some monetary relief  for the Christmas.”

He said officials of the Social Services Division of the Ministry of Community Develo-pment, visited the areas last week, collecting names so that assistance could be given. However, he said no assistance has as yet been rendered. Through the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Rafeeq said donations were collected and yesterday he distributed 100 hampers to residents most in need. He said it was “very unfortunate” that House Speaker Barry Sinanan refused debate on a motion of urgent, public importance last Friday. It was the second time the Opposition UNC was denied an opportunity to debate a flood motion. Rafeeq has not been daunted though.

He said he will submit another motion before 4.30 this afternoon, hoping it qualifies for debate on Friday, which is expected to be the last sitting of the House before the Christmas break. He said Sinanan, in denying the motion, said it should have been filed last Monday. “But the floods occurred on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so that was out of the question,” said Rafeeq. The MP is hoping that the promised start of construction of the Mamoral Dam would begin in earnest next year, so as to bring some measure of relief.