PM instructs MP’s to visit constituencies after heavy rain fall
Thursday 29th July, 2010 

All government MP’s were out in their constituencies today.

They received instructions from the Prime Minister to go out see what help would be needed in the aftermath of today's heavy rains.

The Works and Transport Minister told reporters at the post-cabinet news conference that he was informed that parts of Port of Spain in particular were flooded during today's downpour. 

As for any flooding in other parts of the country, the members of the cabinet would be assessing the situation first hand.

Mr Warner has recommended to cabinet the appointment of a flooding expert to advise the government on how best to deal with the flooding situation in the capital city and other parts of the country.

While he did not identify the nominee, Mr Warner says it is someone who has been "by-passed and neglected over the years".

The nominee and will be one of a team of such experts to appointed later on.

But Mr Warner says that flood prevention work was not carried during the extended dry season this year by the previous government.

Furthermore, he says there is a report with recommendations on how to deal with situation by the proposed new flooding expert that the previous government did not act on.

Mr Warner says the new government plans to build retention ponds for water to be retained and seep off slowly during heavy rains.

This is in addition to new drainage works and the dredging of rivers including the Caparo and Cunupia rivers.