Maxie out and about

UPDATE:

La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie, on the mend from a bout of serious illness, says he’s feeling “great” and is ready to resume duties in his constituency.
“So far, it is good,” Cuffie told reporters, yesterday, in response to queries about his recuperation.
“I feel great and that is why you see me here today.”

Dressed in a pair of jeans and pink, short-sleeved shirt, Cuffie accompanied Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan on a tour of bridges and other infrastructural projects in the constituency, one of the largest in the country.
It was his first official site visit since returning to TT on July 26.
Cuffie was hospitalised last September for a medical condition which prevented him from fulfilling his duties as Minister of Public Administration and Communications.

He later sought medical attention at a hospital in Washington, US, during which he reportedly suffered a stroke.
Cuffie, who was re-assigned to the position of parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration in last Monday’s surprise Cabinet reshuffle, thanked Sinanan for holding to his promise to visit the area.
Cuffie said although he was seeking medical treatment overseas, he had kept in contact with Sinanan and other ministers.

“Although I was away, I have been liaising with Minister Sinanan who has been handling affairs in the constituency on my behalf and other ministers who have been helping with this matter,” he said at the site of the Manuel Congo bridge, currently under construction.
Cuffie said he had also spoken to Energy Minister Franklin Khan about illegal quarrying in the constituency. Sinanan said the Manuel Congo bridge and another bridge in the area, commonly known as the “Trainline,” were the two major access points in the area.

However, he claimed large trucks were being used to carry out illegal quarrying activities in a region of the constituency. Sinanan said that had caused the “train line” to collapse.
“They (trucks) were not supposed to be on that bridge. Now, they switched to this side (Manuel Congo bridge) and if this bridge were to collapse, then it means the entire village would be cut off.”

Sinanan said wardens would be posted at the Manuel Congo bridge throughout the week to prevent large trucks from passing along the structure.
“You cannot have these sizes of trucks operating on this bailey bridge and then put the entire village at risk.
“So, we are going to do some serious enforcement to ensure that the village here does not get cut off due to people actually breaking the law and using vehicles that are not licensed for this area.”
Sinanan said illegal quarrying fell within the purview of the Environmental Management Authority and other agencies. “So, we are hoping that they would step in and do what they have to do because it is causing serious damage to the roads and that results in tax payers having to put out to keep repairing roads and bridges.”

Noting that some roads were in need of rehabilitation, the minister said landslips were also a cause of concern. “So, what we really putting in place now is a programme of work for all of the constituencies where, over the next two years, we are going to have the work done but in phases.”

He added: “We cannot afford all the work at the same time but whatever funding we have, we have to spread it throughout the 39 constituencies in Trinidad .
“So, we are actually doing a work schedule now and over the next couple of years, we will work towards having all the infrastructure upgraded in all 39 constituencies.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie says he is feeling "great" and ready to resume duties in his constituency.

"So far, it is good," he told reporters, in response to queries about his recuperation.

Cuffie reportedly suffered a stroke last September and subsequently sought medical attention at a hospital in Washington DC, US. He returned to TT on July 26.

"I feel great and that is why you see me here today."

Cuffie, who was appointed parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration in last Monday's Cabinet reshuffle, accompanied Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan during a tour of bridges and other infrastructural projects in the constituency.

Cuffie said during his absence, he has been in constant contact with Sinanan and other ministers in relation to projects in the constituency.

"Yes, I have been carrying out duties even when I was in hospital. But I feel great today."