On May 25, 2022, a malicious attempt of vandalism and arson was made at the Bamboo #3 Pump Site.
Preliminary investigations reveal that assailants attempted to set fire to the pump’s discharge line, which could have spread to the main pump house and destroyed the overall functionality of the equipment and pump site.
On May 26, 2022, the Minister of Works and Transport, Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan visited the affected area to assess the impact of the sabotaged equipment. He first lauded the successful attempt of residents and the Drainage Division’s watchman for halting the full extent of the criminal attempt.
Minister Sinanan expressed that “The Ministry has completed extensive work in preparation for the rainy season. Unfortunately, these malevolent actions seek to undermine the solutions now being implemented to reduce the impact of flooding in high-risk
communities”. He added, “Approximately 1000 persons and businesses stand to be affected if this pump was damaged in the attack”.
Regretfully, this incident represents a growing trend in which individuals deliberately seek to damage equipment intended to provide critical drainage for the communities they serve. Three other similar incidents over the past six months are also being investigated, including vandalism and theft at the South Quay and Sea Lots pump houses and the recent theft of a battery at the Williams Street pump site in Aranguez.
An official report to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has been made. The Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to remind the general public that the willful damage to Government property is a crime and anyone who witnesses the attempt of such actions should make a report to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport and a technical team from the Ministry’s Drainage Division assess the situation following an attempt of vandalism and arson at the Bamboo #3 Pump Site.
Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport and a technical team from the Ministry’s Drainage Division assess the situation following an attempt of vandalism and arson at the Bamboo #3 Pump Site.
Minister of Works and Transport, Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan receives an update on the damage to the pump at Bamboo #3 from Mrs. Katherine Badloo-Doerga, Director, Drainage Division, Mr. Fazal Khan, Director, Mechanical Services (left) and Mr. Patterson Dick, Drainage Superintendent (right)