December 1, 2022

Opposition MP: Don’t Forget Rural Communities In Flood Relief Efforts

By Newsroom

On the heels of government announcing $40million for its national flood relief efforts, Opposition MP Anita Haynes is pleading with government not to forget rural communities.

The Tabaquite MP says in her own community, there are several areas that have been significantly impacted by flooding, collapsed roads and landslides.

She says some constituents have also caused disruption in the electricity and pipe-borne water supply in Mamoral and Flanagin Town.

 “In addition to blocking roadways and damaging homes, some landslides have also caused disruption in the electricity and pipe-borne water supply in Mamoral and Flanagin Town. Garbage collection and truck borne water services have also been affected in Mayo for example. Gas stations in Tabaquite and Flanagin Town have no gas, unable to replenish their stores due to the road infrastructure. Bear in mind, the PTSC has long-suspended services to some of these areas and now that the road infrastructure has worsened, residents’ frustration is mounting,” Haynes said in a statement.

Further, she called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to intervene swiftly and address critical incidents such as the recurrent mudslide at the 17km mark along Guaracara Tabaquite Road.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen. Every time it rains debris blocks the roadway, limiting motorists to a narrow path of slush or blocking the road completely. While the clearing of the roadway is appreciated it is not a solution.  Residents are still taking the risk to drive along the road, despite the high chance of damaging their vehicles, getting stuck or the storage container sliding down with the mud, because the alternative route is not much better,” she said. 

In addition to government’s announcement of a $40million national flood relief plan, it has also allocated one hundred million dollars ($100M) for urgent landslide and road reinstatement works nationwide.

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