Diego Martin Regional Corporation chairman Anthony Sammy said yesterday flood relief operations in West Trinidad are finally running a bit smoother.

He said six lighting bays would be installed along the major work sites to help facilitate longer work hours.

Sammy said the steady flow of traffic was hindering the heavy machinery from clearing the worst of the rubble to be taken to the temporary dump sites.

"We needed to extend the work hours, and those lights would help the crews work through the night when there's less traffic," Sammy said.

He said along with the additions to work crews and equipment, there has been a strong show of support from several State organisations, including National Petroleum and Petrotrin. He also said Flow Trinidad had gone beyond corporate responsibility.

"They outfitted the centre with phones and Internet from the day it happened, and now send workers, drivers with the vans to help deliver hampers. It's been a massive help," he said.

Sammy said while he knew some were politicising the issue, he preferred to focus on the matter at hand, and help the people under the corporation's ambit. The Diego Martin Regional Corporation covered three constituencies, he said, adding that it was more work than anyone could have anticipated.

He said he was also aware of "unscrupulous" people attempting to take advantage of the crisis.

"I don't understand how people could even think about taking advantage of the people who already suffering so much," he said.

Sammy said the relief distributions would continue today, with several much-needed new mattresses being delivered.

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