Dear Editor: Credit were it’s due; Minister Padarath is bringing progress to Wasa

“[…] The Picton 1 EMBD Development in Barrackpore [is] an area that has waited far too long for progress.

“[…] For people who have had water once every 14 days, moving to three times a week is a major shift in quality of life. This isn’t just a pipeline, it’s a solution to a daily struggle…”

The following Letter to the Editor on service provided by Wasa was submitted to Wired868 by Derek Ghouralal of Couva:

In a time when many citizens are frustrated with poor service delivery and empty promises, it’s refreshing to witness real, tangible progress in the public utilities sector.

I am writing to express my full support and commendation for Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath and the leadership team at the Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) for their recent work in Barrackpore and surrounding areas.

On 3 August, Minister Padarath toured the Picton 1 EMBD Development in Barrackpore—an area that has waited far too long for progress. This housing initiative for former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers had been dormant since 2002.

Now, under the leadership of Minister Padarath and in collaboration with other public utilities agencies like Wasa, T&TEC, and others, the site is finally moving forward, with initial water connections for 200 lots on the way. That kind of result speaks for itself.

What’s even more encouraging is that this visit is part of the “Wasa Executive Evolution Team Tour”, a structured initiative aimed at directly monitoring and improving water reliability in key areas. This shows not only vision, but hands-on leadership and that’s exactly what the public expects and deserves.

Another major highlight is the GP Road Pipeline project, 6.8 kilometres of new pipeline that will benefit over 3,000 residents in Barrackpore and nearby communities.

For people who have had water once every 14 days, moving to three times a week is a major shift in quality of life. This isn’t just a pipeline, it’s a solution to a daily struggle.

In addition, plans for a 20,000-gallon centralized water storage terminal at Clarke Rochard Recreation Ground demonstrate a broader vision. It’s about creating resilience, improving emergency response, and ensuring that underserved areas are no longer left behind. This kind of planning shows that Wasa is not only catching up but getting ahead.

Behind these efforts are dedicated professionals such as Wasa chairman Roshan Babwah, acting CEO Jeevan Joseph, and their teams, all of whom deserve recognition for executing with precision and purpose.

Their work alongside that of Minister Padarath demonstrates that progress in public service is not just possible, but already underway.

Too often, positive developments like these get overshadowed. But the reality is this: we’re seeing long-standing issues finally being addressed, communities being heard, and promises being delivered on.

Minister Padarath and the Wasa leadership are setting an example of what real public service looks like: focused, accountable, and people-first. It’s the kind of leadership Trinidad and Tobago needs more of.

Let’s give credit where it’s due. And let’s keep the momentum going.

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