Las Cuevas residents claim Govt and WASA neglect

In addition to the water woes, the residents have had, for the past year, dangerous landslides, landslips, flooding at the beaches, and robberies.

While stopping traffic with burning trees for three hours on the North Coast Road, the residents shouted, "We want water right now!"

The Maracas police and firefighters from the Maracas station arrived to put out the fires.

Residents told Newsday that there has been no pipebourne water for months, noting that they are forced to take seabaths and use the dirty water in a nearby river.

"Children sometimes have to go to school without bathing!" said one villager.

Another villager complained that they received multiple WASA bills for months that the pipes remained dry.

"We cannot fish! The place is dirty and there is no water to clean and wash the fishes. A visitor came here and we could not even let her use the toilet!"

The fishermen were liming at the Las Calves Fishing Centre, and there was not a fish in sight.

Fishing nets were strewn about on the ground, and fishing boats lined the beach, floating aimlessly at sea.

Residents claimed that a WASA truck visits the community once a week, but only the villagers near to the road receive water.

"I live near a hill and I have to pay $200 for the water off the truck," argued one man. I own a guesthouse and I can’t have any guests because there is no water for them to bathe or even drink."

Last year the Las Calves dam was condemned, and the Rincon Reservoir was put into use. Even though the reservoir is less than one mile away from Las Cuevas, the residents do not get water.

Resident Michael Gadoo also noted that the road conditions were terrible.

"Sometimes children can’t go to school because of the lack of transport," he said.

He said numerous calls and letters were sent to the area’s Member of Parliament, Anthony Roberts.

"No one wants to assist us!"

It was noted that the first maxi-taxi to leave for Port-of-Spain was at 10 am yesterday morning.

A maxi-driver complained that they were told a new methanol gas will be used in January, but the drivers did not want to increase the price of transportation.