INDARSINGH MEETS ACTING CEO OF WASA
Today, I along with a delegation from Couva South met with the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Water and Sewerage Authority, Mr Sherland Sheppard, and a delegation from WASA’s management.
This meeting was held subsequent to the meeting held last week in Couva South with affected constituents over the reprehensible water supply to the constituency
The delegation from Couva South included Councillors Arelene Solomon-Ramesar, Gangaram Gopaul and Ramchand Rajbal Maraj. The team also included Mr. Sharma Sooknanan, chairman of the constituency executive and Ms. Reshma Maharaj, constituency office manager.
Affected constituents Mr. Manwar Ali, Mr. Deoraj Seecharan, Mr. Gary Gadjadhar, Mr. Siewdath Bahal and Mr. Tony Kissonsingh were also present to articulate the woes of WASA customers in Couva South.
A number of critical concerns were addressed on behalf of constituents. We expressed that a once-every-nine-days water supply was absolutely unacceptable to constituents and has caused much duress. We also raised the issue of WASA employees illegally charging constituents hundreds of dollars for a truck borne water supply, and requested that the acting CEO make every move to have this practice ceased.
Another major concern raised was the recurring shortage of water when major religious observances and festivals take place. We raised concerns about the lengthy waiting time that constituents must ensure when calling WASA’s customer hotline, and the lengthy time taken for a truck borne water supply to be delivered. Our team also highlighted a case by case scenario of infrastructure and woes in each electoral district, with the intention of having WASA intervene with haste.
WASA shared its plans to increase the water supply to Couva South and environs, and identified shortcomings of which they were aware. The acting CEO expressed his wish and resolve to have a regular water supply to Couva South, and his management team gave assurances that WASA would be paying due attention and effort into providing a proper water supply.
While the meeting was cordial and considerate of either party’s position, we in Couva South would be satisfied only when results are delivered, and when there is a regular supply of water in taps across the constituency.
We thank WASA for its dialogue, but we are fully prepared to maintain and even increase pressure on WASA so that they may maintain and increase pressure in our taps.
RUDRANATH INDARSINGH
Member of Parliament for Couva South and SHADOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR and TOBAGO AFFAIRS.