Ramadharsingh appeals to ‘most powerful’ for flood help

“If you are so powerful, contribute something to a poor family.

Come and show some mercy to these people whose children cannot go to school, who are getting sick, who the rains have flooded out their homes.” R ama d h a r s i n g h issued the challenge through the media after Unicomer Courts distributed $50,000 worth of household appliances to some families in the Woodland area who lost stoves, beds, and fridges to flood waters last week.

“We call upon the people who have been spared. The businessmen.

The powerful interest groups in the community.

We call upon those powerful interest groups to show some mercy to south Trinidad. Come forward. Come from Port of Spain. See where Woodland is, where Debe is, where San Francique is.” Ramadharsingh said the goodwill of corporate Trinidad was the only salvation for affected communities as the regional corporation is under-resourced to alleviate all of the problems. Ramadharsingh also criticised the three-week processing time for the distribution of the $25 million relief fund that was approved by Cabinet to be given to storm victims for household repair.

“Applications are not being processed in an emergency format. They are being processed run of the mill, as if you are making an application on the basis of poverty.

That means that it may be months before these people get approval because those things have to be approved by a board in the ministry, the permanent secretary.

I am not sure that anyone who has a roof broken can wait to get a grant to repair that home.” Unicomer Courts gifted five stoves, five fridges, ten washing machines, and three microwaves to families living along Pluck Road, Woodland, whose homes were flooded out.

“I personally want to thank the councillor in the area, who came to my aid and helped me sandbag the river to ensure it didn’t flood my house again, at least for a little while,” said Imtiaz Baig, a Pluck Road resident whose home was flooded by three feet of water.

“I lost a stove, a couch set and a fridge. I am really grateful for the stove I’m getting today.”