Ratiram upset at Works Minister over drains

COUVA North MP Ravi Ratiram was visibly frustrated at Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan in the House of Representatives on July 1 over apparent delays at upgrading road drains in his constituency.
Ratiram posed three questions for oral answer.

Firstly, he asked when would the underground drainage along the Couva Main Road be desilted.

Sinanan replied tenders were being prepared for the work to progress, subject to funds being available.

A dissatisfied Ratiram asked why all this had not been done before.

Sinanan replied that his ministry's Drainage Division and Highways Division had done 1,000 projects.

With reference to the Couva Main Road, he said, "All can't be done at the same time. It will be done."

Ratiram pressed Sinanan for a commitment to expedite this process, given the current hurricane season, but Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George said considerations of a time line were answered in Sinanan's original answer, so the supplemental question was out of order.

Secondly, Ratiram asked when Waterloo Main Road would be repaved and the earthen drains along the road upgraded to concrete box drains.

Sinanan said the road under consideration ran from St Mary's Junction to Carli Bay Road.

"In January 2024, via the Caroni District the ministry undertook a spot-patching exercise using 30 tonnes of hot mix to repair the critical road section.

"A sectional milling and paving contract was approved to be executed in this fiscal year, subject to the availability of funding. The tender documents are currently being prepared."

He said the provision of drains for the Waterloo Main Rd would be assessed under a nationwide study of roads that was now under way.

Ratiram said poor drainage would compromise any roadworks, but he was reined in by Annisette-George telling him not to make statements but just ask his question, which he then did.

Sinanan replied tenders were being prepared and the job would proceed when funds were secured.

Ratiram said, "Honourable Minister, you have been the minister for the last nine years, and up to now we are still waiting for this work to be..."

He was interrupted by noises of exasperation from an "offended" government MPs.

Thirdly, Ratiram asked if the earthen drains along the Southern Main Road, Edinburgh, Chaguanas would be upgraded to concrete box drains.

Sinanan said an assessment was under way on that job, to get the most feasible solution.

However, Ratiram shot back, "With the greatest respect, you have been doing that assessment for the longest while!"