Warner promises relief for Matelot residents

Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Infrastructure, second from right, walks along the wooden bridge which is used by residents to cross the Matelot River. Accompanying the Minister are from left, Terry Rondon, Councillor for Toco/Matelot, Hayden Phillip, Project Manager for PURE, and Ms Cheryl Blackman, Permanent Secretary. Photo courtesy Ministry of Works and Infrastructure

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner paid a surprise visit to Matelot on Friday to get first hand information on problems affecting the fishing community.

Several areas have been affected by heavy rains. And at the end of the tour the minister promised that work will begin Saturday to correct the problems identified. 

“I received numerous complaints from residents of Matelot since I became a Minister. This is the third time that I have attempted to visit here. The previous two occasions, I was hampered by bad weather," Warner told reporters who accompanied him on the tour.

“I received complaints that PTSC buses could not come into Matelot because of the terrible condition of the road. Residents of Matelot have been at the mercy of taxi-drivers. Some residents said to me that they have paid as high as $300 for a one-way trip to Sangre Grande,” he added.

Warner said previous governments did very little for the Matelot, making it a forgotten and neglected community. 

He pointed out that the roads are in a deplorable state, and said it would cost about $45 million to repair them. He also noted the many landslips that had been neglected by previous administrations. Warner said if these problems were addressed in the past, the cost of repairs would have been significantly less. 

Warner admitted that it would be difficult for PTSC buses to enter Matelot because of the state of the roads. He promised relief in the shortest possible time. He also promised to put up a Bailey Bridge over the Matelot River so vehicles would be able to cross.

At present, only pedestrians can cross the river on a narrow bridge.