Sando, Chaguanas Mayors tackle floods in first day on the job

Marlene Coudray took a page out of the book of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Monday, leaving the festivities of her inauguration as Mayor of San Fernando to visit flood stricken areas of the city.

Heavy showers Monday night added to the misery of people who have been coping with floods all of last week.

Several areas were under water which was higher than one metre in some areas, forcing motorists to find alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Coudray's first task was to establish an interim shelter at the San Fernando Secondary School for people who were forced to leave their homes to escape the rising waters.

In Chagunas Mayor Orlando Nagessar was also dealing with floods as he took the oath of office Monday.
Nagessar called on the authorities to stop bulldozing lands of the former Caroni (1975) Limited. He said this activity is contributing to flooding.

He said dealing with flooding would be one of the priorities during his term in office. He said others include a plan to deal with traffic congestion and illegal vending.

Works Minister Jack Warner, who is the MP for the area, attended the ceremony with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

He promised a new mall on the land which housed the old Chaguanas Health Centre and a new market.

"We have to work together to make this borough a city. And I want to tell the new councillors that in politics there is no rehearsal. Three years is a short time to prove yourself. You don't get a second chance," he said.

In her address Persad-Bissesssar said Chaguanas is one of the fasting growing regions in the country and is heading for city status.