CAROLINA BRIDGE HAS FALLEN DOWN
Today, I am enraged that I have to report that the bridge going into Carolina in my constituency of Couva South has indeed collapsed.
The collapse of this bridge leaves residents of Springvale, Claxton Bay, Mt. Pleasant Road, Carolina Trace Nos 1&2, Forres Park, Milton, Lower Carolina and other surrounding communities heavily affected and even marooned, as this roadway is used as a main route for members of these communities and other communities and by extension the country.
I have long agitated and pled for the intervention of the Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Faris Al-Rawi in saving the bridge and these communities. Regrettably, the PNM does not care for the people of Couva South, and today, the bridge has indeed collapsed.
I am currently on the ground meeting with distraught residents who lament that now they will have to spend extra time and monies to move in and out of their homes to get to and from work, to meet with family members and other commitments.
I place this major disruption squarely at the feet of this Government, which, despite promises, remains numb and unresponsive to the plight of the residents now affected.
I am calling on the Government to urgently install a bailey bridge as a temporary measure and for the fully restoration of the roadway which will aid with the flow of vehicular traffic, in an effort to prevent school children and the elderly from having to incur increased vehicular travelling costs, as well as, to allow for first responders (Police, Fire Services and the Ambulance) to have an unrestricted access to the area when responding to calls for assistance, whilst construction of a permanent structure is being arranged.
It is time for the millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money being spent by this Government be used to benefit the people of Carolina and Couva South.
RUDRANATH INDARSINGH
Member of Parliament for Couva South and SHADOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR and TOBAGO AFFAIRS.