By Sue-Ann Wayow
MINISTER of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan is being blamed for the deaths of an elderly couple in Princes Town for not fixing major road in a timely manner.
Doodooman Sankar, 79, and Ramdaye Sankar, 84 from St Julien died on Sunday in a fire that occurred at their home around 7.30 am.
A grandson who spoke with the media said fire officers took more than an hour to arrive at the home and attributed their late arrival to the deplorable roads since the officers took an alternative, longer route to avoid the road condition.
Member of Parliament for Princes Town Barry Padarath and Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal both issued statements slamming Sinanan for not directing that the roads be repaired earlier.
The release from Padarath’s office on Sunday stated, “The Princes Town MP stated that he had written and spoken to Sinanan over the past two years on the major landslips in the area and drew to the attention of the minister how critical it was to fixing these landslips because it had the potential to cut off one community from another or getting essential services to the community in the event of an emergency.
“Padarath stated that despite his pleas, it fell on deaf ears and resulted in a fire appliance taking over forty minutes to reach St Julien this morning to quell a fire and save lives when it could have taken fifteen minutes through St Julien.”
The release also stated that was ironic was that the Sankars were part of a protest action between Padarath and villagers just a month ago on the landslips and road conditions.
Moonilal said, “The senior citizens, who were beloved in their community, lost their lives because the fire authorities were unable to manoeuvre through numerous landslides and potholed roads.
Referring to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s trip to Doha, Moonilal said, “The elderly couple perished while Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his high-flying associates are on an international joyride and his Government has spent millions of dollars on luxuries and wasteful projects.
“The United National Congress and civil society have repeatedly pleaded with the authorities to undertake a massive road rehabilitation programme but the pleas have been constantly rejected by the arrogant and callous Rowley Government.”
Padarath again called for immediate repairs to the roads in the St.Julien area.
AZPNews.com has contacted Sinanan for a response.
