Senator Ameen slams Local Government Minister over lack of resources for Corporations
I note the media release by the Minister of Local Government which calls on “all fourteen (14) Mayors and Chairmen to ensure that their DMU are on alert and on the ground to assist affected persons”. It should be noted that Regional Corporations have been severely under resourced over the past financial year 2017/2018. In every Region, contracts for construction of projects cannot be awarded because the Corporations are “awaiting releases” from the Ministry of Local Government. A number of these projects are designed to alleviate floods.
While allocations were made in the budget and passed in parliament, these funds are not being released in a timely manner. Areas of affected by lack of release of funds include: construction of box drains, construction of bridges, contracted services to hire excavators to clear water courses and additional trucks for removal of bulk waste.
I salute our hard working Local Government Councillors who are on the field, relying on the kindness of strangers to bring whatever relief they can to families affected by floods and I encourage generous citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to continue to partner with our local representatives to assist those in need.
While it has become customary to distribute mattress and hampers when floods come, it is the Minister’s responsibility to ensure Regional Corporations are sufficiently resourced to REDUCE AND PREVENT flooding even before the rains come. Having served as a Councillor for ten years and as the Chairman of a Regional Corporation (Tunapuna Piarco) I have a first hand appreciation of the difference it makes when Regional Corporations are empowered to plan ahead and to act ahead.
I therefore call on the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Local Government to ensure ALL Regional Corporations receive monies allocated in the budget so they will be better equipped to respond to the needs of the citizens.
Senator Khadijah Ameen