UNC PRO to Communications Minister: Get your act together and help citizens affected by flood disaster 

“The Minister of National Security/Communications etc once again showed that he is completely out of depth by saying that the Government took the decision that there would be “no national shutdown”, even as hundreds of thousands of people are still reeling from the impact of the worst flooding this country has seen in decades.” Haynes said.

“A responsible plan of action would have been to activate Section 2 of the Disasters Measures Act as Leader of the Opposition and UNC Political Leader the Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar advised, which would allow law enforcement and agencies of national security to have the ability to save the lives of our citizens, rescue those marooned and provide safety and security for our citizens who are victims of one of our country’s worst natural disasters,” she noted.

“While the Minister seems comfortable flying over the disaster zones, including the still inundated Uriah Butler Highway, without actually meeting with residents and families whose homes and property have been destroyed by flooding, it is heartening to see the outpouring of love, support and generosity of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” Haynes said. “The Rowley-led Government continues to bungle the response to this disaster, leaving scores of persons in a precarious position, without access to help.”

“When asked where the Prime Minister was today, as his own constituents in Diego Martin were grappling with rising flood waters, Minister Young indicated that Dr. Rowley was ‘guiding us from his chair’, a statement which gives the nation little confidence in Rowley’s ability to deal with this disaster,” the UNC PRO said.

“In stark contrast, the Leader of the Opposition and her team, along with dozens of volunteers, have been on the ground providing meals, coordinating the distribution of relief items, assisting in the rescue of persons trapped in their homes, and most critically, offering words and acts of comfort and hope to beleaguered victims of the flooding,” she noted.

“Minister Young should hang his head in shame at his Government’s lack of care or compassion for the people of this country,” Haynes said. “The UNC, led by Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will continue to work in the communities, as all indications are that more bad weather and possibly more flooding is likely in the coming days.”

“The United National Congress calls on the Government to stop playing games with the lives of people and take decisive action to maintain the safety and security of our citizens as we face this natural disaster,” the UNC PRO said.  “It is time that the Prime Minister takes his job seriously and work in the interest of all citizens.”