Moonilal wants $5M for flood relief

Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal is asking cabinet to approve $5 million to the Housing Development Corporations' Grant Committee to offer relief to victims of last weekend's flooding in Diego Martin and neighbouring areas.

Moonilal told local media Wednesday teams from the HDC have been working 24/7 to provide emergency housing and grants to people who need such help.

He said the assistance must be carefully structured. In this regard the staff of the HDC are giving priority to emergency accommodation to people are at  emergency shelters.

"Where houses have been destroyed and so on by natural disasters, that Grants Committee has been on the field from Sunday and they have been working around the clock from Sunday," Moonilal told CNMG news.

He added, "I understand that over 250 applications have already been made and processed. We are seeking emergency funding that the Prime Minister has spoken about. We are seeking I think about $5 million in funding, so that we will have $5 million by way of small grants."

Moonilal also said more money would be needed for a reforestation programme in the Diego Martin hills. He said there would also have to be more stringent policing of the hilly areas, enforced by policy and legislative changes.

"I know that Dr. Tewarie has already finished his Draft Policy Document on Land Use and it's coming to Parliament in this session with a Land Use Development legislation, so we are eagerly awaiting that," the minister stated.