Major Desilting Works Begin Along El Socorro Road #TTTLiveOnline

The project, which includes major works to clear underground drainage, was launched on Tuesday morning by MP for Barataria/San Juan, Saddam Hosein.

He noted that the long-overdue project, set to span the next 30 days, promises much-needed relief for thousands of residents.

“If you lift those manhole covers, you would realise that because of the years and years of silt that has built up, that it probably touches the top of the pavement. And that is hardened silt. We have a lot of equipment. We have the vac trucks and the water trucks and so on to try to get out that slush from under the drains.”

The project is being undertaken by the Ministries of Public Utilities, Works and Infrastructure, Transport and Civil Aviation, and Rural Development and Local Government.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said the project will be expanded in the coming months.

“We have been very proactive in terms of pooling our in-house resources together through WASA and other State agencies to ensure that the equipment that is under the purview of the State is utilised in a very systematic way, in that we move from one constituency to the other without bearing any major cost.”

Meanwhile, Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed endorsed the initiative, noting that the Corporation was pleased to lend its support.

“Definitely, I wanted to be a part of this project because as Minister Padarath said, he will be extending it to other constituencies, and by Chaguanas raising their hands first, there is a couple of areas within my Borough I would like to see this gully sucker being used.”

Meanwhile, El Socorro residents are welcoming the start of desilting works in their community.

One resident, Kayam Ali, thanked the Member of Parliament and by extension the government for their intervention.

“I’ve been living here, just two houses away there for over 50 years. And it’s only within the last five to six years have we encountered anything like what we are encountering. If the rain just drizzle, the road does flood.”

Businessman and resident Kurt Boodoosingh lamented that he suffered significant losses over the years due to the flooding.