Local Government Minister Suruj Rambachan yesterday warned that he has instructed Local Government Corporations to apply the full brunt of the law against persons who are guilty of blocking water courses and violating building codes.

Rambachan, speaking at the Post Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's said under the Municipal Corporations Act there are provisions by which persons can be prosecuted for these violations.

"The Ministry of Local Government has advised local Government corporations to take a very strong view and not to in fact compromise the law in any way whatsoever with respect to persons who have been blocking water courses, who have been altering natural water courses or in any way doing things that can cause flooding of areas and of premises," said Rambachan.

"Enough of that has happened in the country and we know in the Diego Martin area some of that also happened, the slash and burn and what have you and the blocking of water channels. We intend to fully apply the law with respect to people who violate the local building codes in this regard," he added.

He said there is a team of engineers at these corporations to ensure that these laws are upheld.

These laws, he said, must be applied because violations result in villages going under water.

"We cannot continue to have that kind of behaviour on the part of our citizens and it seems to be the consequences haven't been applied," he said.

Rambachan said there are hundreds of cases where people are guilty of doing such throughout the country.

He also disclosed that he will be meeting with members of the Diego Martin regional corporation next week to look at ways in improving delivery systems.

Rambachan also announced that the policy document for the transformation and modernisation of Local Government has been completed and accepted by Cabinet.