MARVIN GONZALES

I READ with some astonishment a letter to the editor from MP Dave Tancoo ("Stop using water as political tool," March 10) calling on the Minister of Public Utilities to act on the water situation in the Oropouche West constituency. What appears to be the usual political mischief by opposition members, or perhaps blissful and deliberate ignorance, I am forced to respond to my parliamentary colleague in defence of the truth and to clear up any misrepresentation deliberately placed in the public space.

I understand that my colleague has a lot going on internally with his party and with the haemorrhaging that is taking place daily many things may have escaped his attention. I understand his unfortunate predicament.

Dear colleague, I was in Oropouche West just about a month ago to get a first-hand update on a major $30 million pipeline project that is being funded by the government and WASA to improve the supply of water in your constituency. It's the largest single investment by the authority in your constituency, perhaps in the history of TT.

Incidentally, the new 12-inch pipeline project passes in front of your constituency office. I would hate to believe that you have never seen this ongoing project taking place in front of your office.

The national community and all stakeholders including your constituents have been duly updated on this major project through several press releases and media statements from 2024 to early 2025, inclusive of my media site interview when I visited recently.

All of these escaped your attention, sir? The situation inside the UNC is so bad that you can't pay attention to major matters that stand to benefit your constituents, whom you pledged to serve?

The government and the authority acknowledge the challenges to supply water to some areas in the constituency for many years and have collaborated in conducting an in-depth analysis of the root causes of the problems in order that the appropriate investment is made with guaranteed tangible benefits for the citizens who live there.

I will now explain the challenges and the interventions being made since it is clear that the Member of Parliament is blissfully unaware of the comprehensive water improvement programme taking place in his community that is geared to tackle those issues.

Woodland and San Francique

The Woodland area, serviced by the Caroni/Desalcott system, faces significant issues due to the existing 200mm PVC pipeline, which is severely undersized. This pipeline cannot meet the water transmission demands of the residents.

The San Francique area similarly struggles with an inadequate supply-demand scenario, as it is also connected to the Caroni/Desalcott system via the Thicke Village booster and Penal Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Planned improvement works

The authority is currently executing one of its largest and most impactful infrastructural upgrade projects within the Oropouche West constituency. With a strong investment of approximately $31 million, we are installing a robust 400mm