By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE National Gas Company (NGC) is being called upon to take into consideration the thousands of motorists that use Wrightson Road, Port of Spain when planning pipeline repair works.
Member of Parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre David Lee in a press release said that the decision by NGC to undertake repair work on pipelines along Dock Road and Wrightson Road from August 12 to 26 between the hours of 7 am to 5 pm was a decision that lacks consideration, proper planning and absent of respect for the many citizens who use the roads daily.
He said such work during that time would create a “traffic disaster”.
On Friday, NGC announced that it will begin construction works to divert a segment of its existing 16-inch low-pressure pipeline located in Dock Road and Wrightson Road Port of Spain.
Lee said, “It is irresponsible that the NGC, as well as the other relevant authorities, have failed to take into consideration that on a daily basis thousands face heavy traffic along this route due to the regular flow.
“The NGC has failed to acknowledge that hundreds are forced to leave their homes hours in advance on a morning to enter Port of Spain due to the backup caused along these routes each day while citizens also spend a significant amount of time trying to exit Port-of-Spain due to the congestion along this route on an evening.”
Lee asked why the work could not be conducted at night.
He found it also confusing that the work would be allowed by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Lee called on Minister of Energy Stuart Young to intervene.
“I am calling on the immediate intervention of the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries who oversees NGC to have compassion for the travelling public and step in to ensure that this plan is changed so commuters will not be impacted. Have a heart NGC,” the MP stated.
