$300M needed to fix infrastructure problems in Arima, Arouca

Works Minister Jack Warner take a look at the problems

Works Minister Jack Warner made a tour of two eastern area constituencies Saturday and announced that government will have to find $200 and $300 million to deal with problems raised by people in both areas.

Warner and several officials tours the constituencies of Arima and Arouca. He said while he is aware of the government's financial constraints he will have to address the problems right away.

“If we have to take loans...we have to take loans because if we don’t do it now, it would cost us $600 million down the road. So, in a real sense we have to do it now. And, therefore, we have to borrow money if we have to do the job,” the Guardian quoted him as saying.

Warner promised that his ministry will undertake work in the two constituencies immediately but noted that some of the problems identified would need further study.

The issues include poor drainage, landslips, soil erosion, bad roads, severe flooding, and inadequate street lighting. Warner noted that people have suffered for too long and declared, “We will help!”

One of the most expensive projects will be replacing the Mausica Bridge, which is likely to cost $30 million. “That has to be replaced this year; We have to find the money,” he promised.