Eleven of 14 central Trinidad families affected by Friday’s tornado and heavy rains yesterday received a total of $200,000 in purchase orders from the National Self Help Commission to repair their homes which were badly damaged by the bad weather. Yesterday, Tourism Minister and Chaguanas East MP Stephen Cadiz distributed the purchase orders to the families at his Chaguanas constituency office.
On Friday, several parts of central Trinidad were hit by bad weather. Several roofs were blown off. Residents at Warden Lane, Penco Avenue and Cemetery Street, Longdenville; Caroni Savannah Road, Cunupia; and Aisle Street, Enterprise, were affected by the inclement weather. In an interview after the distribution, Cadiz dismissed allegations that his constituency was slow in responding to residents who were affected by Friday’s bad weather.
In fact, he said, it was quite the opposite, since his staff was on the ground the same afternoon, after the rain subsided, rendering assistance to affected residents. “We were on field the first time on Friday and we had a team out on Saturday morning,” he said. “Saturday afternoon I left the airport and went straight to the constituency and on Sunday we were finalising assessments. I cannot and could not subscribe to the statement that we were slow in responding.
“That is totally untrue and it was a malicious statement and it was being made by someone who was not affected by the tornado.” Cadiz said his staff was able to process claims and get assistance for the residents in a short space of time. “We responded as fast and humanly possible,” he said. “The ODPM (Office of Disaster Preparedness) delivered tarpaulins for those who lost their roofs. Mattresses were supplied to people so they could have dry mattresses to sleep on.
“The weather system was tragic, but the good news was the reaction and the response time by the authorities. “Here it is on Tuesday we already have all the work done with the purchase orders processed and delivered.” The minister said applications were still being processed for three families, which he expected to be completed later this week.
He said applications for some of the families who needed assistance with school books, clothing and some appliances were being processed. Cadiz said later today field officers would return to the communities affected by the bad weather to determine who needed help. “We will provide the labour to do it,” Cadiz said.