Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner says equipment to start dredging the country's waterways will arrive in two weeks.
He was speaking to reporters yesterday after touring Bamboo Settlement 2. Warner went there to hear the concerns of residents who have been complaining about severe flooding and bad drainage in the area. At last Thursday's post Cabinet news briefing Warner announced that Cabinet had approved a $30 million initiative to dredge major waterways and drains to reduce flooding. The initiative included the dredging of main waterways that run off into the Gulf of Paria. He said, "I have been advised in two weeks they will be bringing equipment from up the islands."
Warner said the equipment was being provided by a Dutch firm. He explained because of the amount of waste and the depths at which the river mouths needed to be dredged, special equipment must be used and was unavailable locally. When asked how contracts were awarded to contractors hired to take part in the dredging projects, Warner said contracts would be given selectively based on whether or not the contractor had the necessary equipment. He said no contracts had been given yet, but they would be given to contractors who had equipment to handle the job within budget.
Warner said once the equipment had arrived it was estimated that dredging work would take between two to three months. Responding to questions about the flooding expert meant to be called in to help the ministry with flooding solutions, Warner said unfortunately the selected expert Dr Emery Millet had fallen ill and was unable to do the job. Warner said to address the traffic, local traffic expert Dr Rae Fuller had been given 30 days to devise a plan to ease traffic in Diego Martin, Enterprise and other congested areas.