She thanked God that no lives were lost. “Whilst we bemoan and we are very saddened at the damage done and the losses suffered by our fellow citizens, I want to say thanks to God that we have not lost a life,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the comment to reporters following a tour of the areas in north Trinidad.
Several cabinet minister were on the tour with her including Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner, Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma, National Security Minister John Sandy, Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar and Public Utilities Minister Emmanuel George.
Officers of the T&T Defence Force and the Office of Disaster of Preparedness and Management (ODPM) also accompanied the Prime Minister on the tour, which lasted nearly four hours.
She visited people living in La Seiva, Eckel Avenue and Gittens Road in Maraval, Dibe Road and Cocorite, then spoke with reporters at Waterhole, Cocorite.
She said the relevant ministries would conduct assessments to homes and properties. However she did not make promises about compensation for everyone.
“I think it will be totally foolhardy of me and reckless, should I say yes, every single person is going to be compensated," she said. “Should we do that, there might not be a cent left in the Treasury,” she added.
Persad-Bissessar said the Ministry of the People and other state organisations will determine the level of compensation. However she was emphatic that the government is prepared to and will help citizens affected by the floods.
“Assist we will, and we shall,” Persad-Bissessar said. “All we can do is offer immediate assistance, relief, in terms of food, drinking water, a dry place to sleep.”
As the touring party did its work, members of the Defence Force, ODPM, CEPEP, T&T Electricity Commission, Water and Sewerage Authority, Flow and other agencies were out in full force assisting with the clean up process.
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