THE PEOPLE WANT WATER

Dave Tancoo, Member of Parliament for Oropouche West, is urging the Government to establish a proper water supply network as his Constituency is struggling without an adequate supply of potable water. MP Tancoo has expressed concern over the inadequate and unreliable water supply for weeks, in many parts of Oropouche West, and believes that as tax-paying citizens, his constituents deserve access to safe and reliable potable water.

The lack of a reliable water supply to residents is literally putting their life and well-being at risk. MP Tancoo noted that many residents are forced to purchase water from private vendors at exorbitant prices, which places a significant financial burden on already struggling families. Requests to WASA for a truck-borne supply in many cases are futile, as the demand for the service is clearly higher since there is no water in the pipelines. It is unacceptable that water shortages can last up to a month and are extremely common in these areas. Already, residents of communities in Ragoonanan Trace, Antilles Trace, Tennant Trace, and Harbhajan Trace have been without water for more than seventeen days. Other residents have lamented that the notices from WASA purporting to identify a schedule for pipe-borne water are absolutely unreliable, effectively preventing homeowners from basic planning activities such as doing laundry, cooking and sanitizing premises.

MP Tancoo noted that the Government has signed yet another multimillion-dollar loan agreement earlier this week with the stated purpose of enhancing the dependability and operational effectiveness of water delivery services for neglected communities. Tancoo noted that despite the multiple assurances from the Minister of Public Utilities and the Government as a whole, citizens of Oropouche West and neighboring communities continue to feel ostracized and abandoned by the state when they read of other parts of the country with 24/7 water supply and when they see water being randomly sprayed as part of carnival events.

Tancoo noted that the continued failure of the government to establish proper measurable objectives and key performance indicators has historically meant that these loans do not achieve their stated purpose. Indeed, the fact that the state refuses to implement the original procurement legislation facilitates billions lost in corruption under this PNM Government!

It is a fact that many communities in Oropouche West will easily qualify as being neglected by WASA and the government. To this end MP Tancoo urges the government to stop playing politics with the lives of citizens of South Trinidad. “The people need water. No excuses or politricks”