Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo believes severe flooding is imminent in his constituency.

In a statement, Mr Tancoo claims the level of maintenance works on major watercourses in his constituency and surrounding flood-prone areas is both sub-standard and inadequate.

He adds that this is a major concern, since the Rainy Season is less than 90 days away.

Mr Tancoo says a visual inspection of the banks of major watercourses such as the New Cut Channel and the Black Water Channel in South Oropouche show large fissures, indicating that the requisite maintenance works and reinforcement works have not been satisfactorily completed. 

He adds that the old flood gate in the river at Tulsa Trace is yet to be removed, saying “This remnant is a hazardous obstacle that lies across the width of the river, trapping rubble, trees and branches, creating an obstruction to the free flow of the river. This directly contributes to the four (4) to six (6) feet of flood waters faced by residents over the past few years. I have written to the relevant authorities to have the old flood gate removed, but it appears that this PNM Government is waiting for yet another flooding disaster to occur before taking this matter seriously.”

MP Tancoo is now calling on the Minister of Works and Transport to attend to the matters urgently.