The Ministry of Works and Transport once again notes with great concern the trend of theft and intentional damage to Government property by private citizens.
The Ministry is currently dealing with an incident of larceny at the Sea Lots Pump House, which occurred on Friday 22nd October 2021. Preliminary investigations indicated that electrical cables and three 15KVA transformers were stripped entirely of their core. Additionally, four batteries and the automatic charging system used to support the two main pumps at Sea Lots were also stolen. This matter is presently being investigated by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Over the past three years, the Sea Lots Pump House has played a critical role in reducing incidents of flooding in downtown Port of Spain. The Sea Lots Pump House was completed at a cost of approximately five million dollars ($5,000,000). The Ministry wishes to reinforce that, such actions undermine the efforts and work of the organization and place an unnecessary financial burden on the Government when there is a need to manage scarce resources. Therefore, stealing, waste and abuse of Government funds, equipment and material are unacceptable.
Members of the public are reminded that any equipment or material purchased or allocated to a project is done for a specific purpose to serve the greater public. Any removal of such equipment or material diminishes the capacity of the Ministry to meet its planned goal.
The theft or tampering of Government property is an offence punishable under law. Anyone with knowledge of such illegal activity is encouraged to report all relevant information to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Reports of such incidents will be investigated, and all appropriate legal action will be taken.
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