St. Augustine MP, Khadijah Ameen is calling for better Government preparation after flash flooding ravaged various parts of her constituency, the areas within the St. Augustine Constituency include Bamboo #2, Bamboo #3, Real Spring, Valsayn South, Curepe, St. Augustine South, Spring Village and Tacarigua.
She said this recent flooding has exposed the alarming lack of preparedness and under-resourcing.
“Despite clear warnings and the predictable nature of the rainy season, the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government and the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation failed to equip agencies with the necessary manpower and resources to effectively manage such disasters. This disaster was made worse by the corporation’s struggle with inadequate staffing and insufficient resources, which hampered the response efforts.”
According to Ameen: “This recurring devastation caused by flooding is a clear indication of the government’s neglect and incompetence. The time for excuses is over.”
MP Ameen is calling for the government to take emergent action to provide sufficient funding, manpower for clearing watercourses and financial resources to regional corporations to fulfill its responsibility to protect its citizens.