Oropouche West MP: Government must compensate Livestock and Poultry Farmers
The Member of Parliament for Oropouche West, Mrs. Vidia Gayadeen- Gopeesingh, is calling on the PNM government to compensate farmers who lost their livestock and crops due to the destructive flooding that occurred last weekend.
In a release issued on Thursday the MP stated, “ Last weekend, yet again the constituents of Oropouche West are left to suffer because of a government who simply refuses to take action to ensure a comfortable life for some of our country’s hardest working citizens. For the fourth time in less than a year we have been devastated by flooding.”
The MP accused the negligent Rowley led administration of ignoring the cries for assistance from the constituents to dredge and widen rivers during the dry season. MP Gayadeen- Gopeesingh continued “I have written numerous letters to Minister Sinanan asking for his intervention and to date we have seen no action taking place. The Tulsa Trace Flood gates remain dysfunctional to this day.”
Commenting on the impact of flooding for her constituents the MP stated “There are many farmers within Oropouche West and it is unfortunate that persons have to constantly readjust their lives. It is ludicrous that persons are yet to receive compensation from last year’s flooding, to add to that turmoil constituents have told me the assessors representing the Ministry of Agriculture have indicated that the ministry does not provide compensation for poultry and livestock.”
The state’s involvement in the livestock and poultry industries in Trinidad and Tobago is meagre and farmers are faced with tremendous operational difficulties. High costs of feed, no extension services, praedial larceny and little incentives are just of a few of the issues farmers overcome to maintain their livelihood.
Mrs. Gayadeen-Gopeesingh referenced the case of one of her constituents who lost a considerable amount of poultry due to the excessive flooding over the weekend, “Farmers in this country are vital to the resurrection of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy and I cannot fathom why the government continues to abuse them. How can it be that there is no provision for compensation for livestock and poultry? It is imperative that that livestock and poultry farmers are compensated expeditiously.”
In closing the MP stated, “Around this time of the year livestock and poultry farmers have increased demand for their products and it is unfair that this wicked PNM government refuses to assist these hardworking and law abiding citizens, a few weeks before Christmas.”
Vidia Gayadeen- Gopeesingh