Moonilal raises urgent concerns about the lack of a fire tender at Penal Fire Station

Dr. Roodal Moonilal, the MP for Oropouche East and Shadow Minister of National Security, is advocating for a fire tender to be urgently assigned to the Penal Fire Station. In a statement issued on Saturday, Moonilal highlighted the urgency of the situation by pointing out the occurrence of four major fires in the Penal community over the past two weeks. He expressed concern for the families in Penal, Barrackpore, and surrounding areas whose homes and possessions have been destroyed due to the lack of adequate fire-fighting equipment at the station. Moonilal criticized the government for failing to provide the necessary resources to the station, which has left it unable to effectively respond to emergencies. He emphasized that the station, which cost taxpayers $71 million, has taken eight years to be commissioned and remains ill-equipped to serve the community.

The MP noted that the Penal Fire Station was a project of the People’s Partnership administration, led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and criticized the current government for neglecting the station and other fire stations built during that regime. Moonilal accused the authorities of disregarding the welfare of the communities by failing to provide the necessary resources for the station. He mentioned that units from other fire stations, such as Princes Town and Mon Repos in San Fernando, have to respond to fires in Penal and its surrounding areas due to the lack of equipment at the Penal station. Moonilal called on the authorities to expedite the process of assigning a fire tender to the Penal Station in order to better serve the large catchment area and ensure the safety of the residents.

The MP’s plea for a fire tender at the Penal Fire Station comes after a series of devastating fires in the area, which have left families homeless and without their belongings. Moonilal stressed the importance of having a properly equipped fire station in the community to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. He criticized the government for making excuses for the station’s lack of resources, with the most recent being that the equipment is still at the port. Moonilal called on the authorities to prioritize the safety and well-being of the residents in Penal and its surrounding areas by ensuring that the station is adequately equipped to respond to emergencies.

Dr. Roodal Moonilal’s call for a fire tender at the Penal Fire Station underscores the need for effective emergency response services in the community. The MP emphasized that the lack of resources at the station has put residents at risk and led to significant property damage during recent fires. Moonilal urged the authorities to address this critical issue promptly and provide the necessary equipment to the station. He highlighted the cost and time spent on commissioning the station, pointing out that it should be fully operational and equipped to serve the needs of the community. Moonilal’s advocacy for improved fire-fighting capabilities at the Penal Fire Station reflects his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the residents in Penal, Barrackpore, and surrounding areas.

In conclusion, Dr. Roodal Moonilal’s efforts to secure a fire tender for the Penal Fire Station are driven by a genuine concern for the safety and well-being of the communities it serves. The MP’s criticism of the government’s neglect of the station and other fire stations built under the previous administration highlights the need for greater accountability and urgency in addressing this issue. Moonilal’s call for action reflects a commitment to ensuring that residents in Penal and its surrounding areas are adequately protected in the event of emergencies. By urging the authorities to assign a fire tender to the Penal Station without delay, Moonilal is advocating for a proactive approach to improving emergency response services and preventing future disasters.