Advertisement 87
Advertisement 323
An employee of CWSA works to repair the water network in North Windward on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013. (IWN photo)
An employee of CWSA works to repair the water network in North Windward on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013. (IWN photo)
Advertisement 219

(See video at end of post)

The parliamentary opposition has praised the efforts of the state owned water and power companies for their efforts to restore their services after the extreme weather on Christmas Eve.

The networks of Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) and VINLEC suffered damage as a result of the low-level trough system, which left nine persons dead, four missing, and triggered landslides and left extensive flooding in some communities.

Immediately after the passage of the extreme weather, 50 per cent of consumers in St. Vincent were without water, and 85 per cent were expected to be reconnected by Tuesday, Dec. 31.

“… I am quite pleased with the work that has been done by the water authority and VINLEC. They were on the ground from the beginning and they are still on the ground doing very good work,” Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace told I-Witness News on Monday after a meeting of his party executive.

Advertisement 21

(Read also: Opposition discusses disasters relief)

Opposition discusses disasters relief (+video)

Meanwhile, Daniel Cummings, MP for West Kingstown, a former manager of CWSA, said in a separate interview after the meeting that he has been in contact with a number of key members of the CWSA since the disaster.

“It is precious little that they could have done beyond what they have done. They have a herculean task on hand and they are doing all in their power,” Cummings said of CWSA employees.

He further noted that members of the public in North Leeward, where there has been extensive damage to housing and infrastructure, have mobilized in moving pipe to help to reconnect the water supply.

“It is what you have come to expect from the CWSA,” Cummings said.