Caption: From left, WASA acting CEO Jeevan Joseph, Chairman Roshan Babwah, and Mayaro MP Nicholas Morris, assess the site of a recently repaired leak, at Bucket Corner, Rio Claro. Photo:WASA
A team led by Mayaro MP Nicholas Morris toured several communities across the constituency on Saturday, pledging new pipeline works in areas that remain outside the Water and Sewerage Authority’s (WASA) distribution grid.
According to a WASA release, Morris—who is also Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and in the Office of the Prime Minister—was joined by Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Chairman Raymond Cozier, WASA Chairman Roshan Babwah, acting CEO Jeevan Joseph and members of the utility’s Executive Evolution Team.
The delegation began at La Salle Road and Bhagratte Trace, Biche, where residents reported they have never had a pipe-borne supply.
One resident, 67-year-old Vishnu Timal, told officials his family depends on an old well for daily needs. Acting CEO Joseph “gave the assurance that a pipeline installation project would be undertaken in the area,” the release stated.
Similar complaints surfaced at Paymar Branch Trace, Libertsville, Rajpaul Trace, Ecclesville, Teemul Trace, Oilfield Road and Balata Trace East—communities WASA said are currently outside its pipeline network. In each case, Joseph committed to conduct assessments and “take the necessary steps” to install the infrastructure required to deliver a pipe-borne service. Several additional pipeline projects were identified during the tour for inclusion in wider water-improvement plans for Mayaro, the authority stated.
The team also stopped at Bucket Corner, Rio Claro, where an aged 8-inch main, installed more than 50 years ago, has been prone to frequent breaks that disrupt supply and repeatedly damage the roadway during repairs. WASA said full replacement of that line is scheduled to begin this week, to be followed by permanent road reinstatement.
At the end of the visit, Morris thanked Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, who has responsibility for WASA, and praised the authority’s leadership for their responsiveness.
He added that while some communities continue to face significant challenges, residents elsewhere in Mayaro have reported notable improvements in service.
