Warner pledges to fix flooding problem, but needs citizens to do their part

Jack Warner made an aerial tour of rivers Wednesday to get an idea of what needs to be done to ease flooding in the country.

The works minister was accompanied by several experts from the Drainage Division. The team flew over the Caroni, Cunupia, Caparo, Couva, Guaracara, and Cipero rivers. All of them flow into the Gulf of Paria.

Following the flight he told reporters that based on what he saw and "what was told to me, I have decided to embark on dredging at the mouths of all key rivers which flow into the Gulf of Paria."

He added, "this will be done with the assistance of several contractors, mainly foreign, because those contractors may have the necessary equipment to carry out those types of dredging.”

Warner said the locals would be able to work alongside the foreign experts. Warner overall plan is to end the country's flooding problem by using all the resources necessary and available.

He believes that flooding can be a thing of the past if waterways are cleared and rivers dredged. Part of the solution is also with the people, he said adding that everyone must be conscious of the problems they cause through indiscriminate dumping of garbage in rivers.

He added that the slash and burn method for housing and other uses creates opportunities for flooding.

The minister cautioned that relief would not come overnight and reiterated that fixing the flooding problem involves a partnership between the government and the people.

“Every citizen must become conscious of the environment in which they live, and do their part to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago becomes an eco-friendly society and pollution and the dumping of garbage is a thing of the past,” he told the NEWSDAY newspaper.

He admitted that cost will be high but stated that “the lives of people and their well being cannot be measured from a monetary point of view, therefore the funding will be sought."