Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
The Siparia Borough Corporation (SBC) will begin constructing a walkway today to assist residents of St John’s Branch Trace, South Oropouche, who have to cross a river to leave their homes.
Several residents remained stranded in the community yesterday as the bridge crossing one of the rivers in the community collapsed on Wednesday. Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo said while some residents are crossing the river using a boat, rains over the last 24 hours are threatening to increase the level. With the Wet Season here, he said the SBC has to be prepared for any eventuality, and personnel were monitoring the community.
Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe was also there meeting with the residents.
“We are making arrangements to create a walkway because those marooned residents have to cross the river with a boat. We are now doing a little area where they can walk out of the river, onto the bank, and the main road. That is as far as we are now,” Mayrhoo said.
As councillor for the Avocat/San Francique electoral district, Mayrhoo said he was organising food to take across to those residents who cannot leave their homes to access the parlours and groceries.
“As it stands now with the rain, that earthen area will become slippery so they can slip and fall. We will place something there that will be a little safer and more secure for when they are walking out of the boat, they will not slip and fall,” he said.
Mayrhoo said the bridge was constructed even before he was born by an oil company to access several of its wells in the area. The bridge and land are not vested in the SBC, but Mayrhoo said it has a responsibility to cater to the needs of the people living there.
“I made contact with the minister’s personal assistant this morning, who indicated to me that we have been trying to locate the Bailey bridge for that area, but there is none in the country at this point in time, and they are working feverishly to see how soon they can access one to bring in and have it installed there,” the mayor said.
When Guardian Media visited the community yesterday, it was raining but the river level remained low enough for people to pass. However, most residents stayed in their homes.