Faced with devastating floods in his constituency, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal yesterday described as “contemptuous” the proposed $1 million grant to the Penal/Debe region to assist flooding victims.
He addressed the swearing-in ceremony of the new aldermen and returning chairman Dr Allen Sammy along with returning deputy chairman Diptee Ramnath, who was former PNM councillor under the Patrick Manning government who later crossed the floor.
Dr Moonilal called on the Government to treat with Penal/Debe as they did with Greenvale residents.
He said the Government spent millions of dollars to replace furniture and appliances in the aftermath of flooding last November in Greenvale.
Moonilal contended that “the one million proposed by the Rowley cabinet could not help one electoral district far less the eight that were devastated by floods.
Saying it was an act of malice and discrimination, Moonilal called on the Government to replace furniture, appliances and assist with rebuilding and refurbishing the hundreds of homes devastated by the floods.
He informed the audience that the flooding in Penal/Debe was not seen as a priority for urgent attention by the PNM government.
He also blasted Minister of Works Rohan Sinanan for the neglect in undertaking drainage works in the region.
“Rain might be an act of God but flooding is an act of Rohan—who is not God,” Moonilal added.