The government of Trinidad & Tobago has handed out a compensation cheque to a family from Barrackpore, South Trinidad whose homes was destroyed by a landslip caused by a leaking underground pipeline.
Housing Minister and the Chief Executive Officer of the Water and Sewerage authority (WASA) presented the cheque to Rhea Jugoon-Babooram and her father Rooplal Jugoon.
Their home in Barrackpore was destroyed by land erosion due to a leaking WASA pipeline.
Moonilal recalled that Babooram's sister verbally abused him and his colleague, works Minister Jack Warner, during a tour of the area.
The minister said the incident was the result of pent up frustration from the people who had been experiencing major problems long before the People's Partnership government come into office.
He said he is pleased that WASA and the Jugoon family reached an amicable settlement. The family had taken the matter to their lawyers after initially refusing WASA's offer of $117,000 as “inadequate and completely unfair”.
Moonilal said the Works Ministry is nearing completion of a $10 million project to fix the land erosion problem in the area.
The minister, who is also the MP for Oropouche East, told reporters that people who suffer property loss or damage due to the negligence of State agencies will get compensation.
“Many residents are suffering because of the negligence of State agencies and not just WASA,” he explained.
He said other state agencies are also culpable, including T&TEC and HDC. “We are hoping that the State agencies meet and treat" with the issues in the same manner that WASA.
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