DOTISHNESS ON TOP OF INCOMPETENCE

IN the early 1980s, Works Minister Hugh Francis built an elevated northbound lane of Uriah Butler Highway. 

Francis had a simple rationale. 

When the low-lying southbound lane is flooded, the raised lane could be used for two-way traffic. 

Tens of thousands of north-south commuters could testify that floods were common along the highway for years, especially at Guayamere Village, which is barely above sea level. 

Four decades later, Francis’ memo has not reached the current simple-minded office-holder. 

In the midst of the great floods of 2022, there was clearly no monitoring and situational awareness, so the authorities were unprepared for the silt-ridden Caroni River breaking its bank. 

And when Rohan Sinanan made a roadway available to harassed commuters, it was the Priority Bus Route, which runs along the eastern corridor and, therefore, provides no relief to stranded southern commuters. 

Gross indifference from the authorities led to woeful traffic gridlock. 

There was no crisis management with the use of law enforcement, disaster management, and emergency personnel. 

No government official took charge. 

Thousands, including children, were grounded in one spot for hours. 

Before that, there was stark absence of preparation for the inevitable flooding of the highway. 

That lack of planning was matched by an absence of timely evaluation, which would have alerted the government that water was still tumbling down the hills, and with a waterlogged ground, the clogged 25-mile Caroni River would explode. 

In fact, Sinanan and riding pardner Faris Al Rawi were on a propaganda meet-the-people tour, when the victims really needed to be rescued, and provided with hot meals, medication, and a warm bed. 

The sufferers had earlier required measures to avert the epic flood that has devastated property, furnishings, food crops, and other valuables. 

In the absence of preventative steps, surely relevant official agencies could have rescued those marooned and seek to salvage valuable possessions. 

Instead, it appears that only opposition politicians were in the six-feet-deep water, in addition, of course, to the many do-gooders who could always be depended upon in times of crises. 

To see boatmen, tractor drivers and other good neighbours in selfless action is to witness the innate spirit of T&T love and support. 

They deserve national honour.  

All aspects of this disaster have been horribly mismanaged by an administration that emerged as heartless and matched stupidity with ineptitude. 

Dotishness on top of incompetence!