STERLING SEEBRANSINGH

#11 Woodland Drive,
Olton Road,
Arima.

18th October 2012,

Re: Request to have trees cut and Compensation for damages caused by fallen tree

Good day,

I live at #11 Woodland Drive Olton Road. Arima. This is located next to Cleaver Woods/Cleaver Park.

On the 17th May 2011, one of the trees from Cleaver Woods fell in my property, subsequently damaging my fence and at the time my Vehicle's bonnet, windscreen and bumper. I did not get any compensation for the damages. I phoned and wrote the Member of Parliament for Da’ Badie/ O’Meara, the Honourable Anil Roberts office in which they assisted with the removal of the fallen tree and debris. I also wrote and mentioned to them if they can cut the remainder of the trees around my house to avoid any more trees falling in my property and causing any further damages. I wrote National Parks who are in charge of Cleaver woods and I also wrote the Tunapuna Cooperation as well. Just to remind you this is in May of 2011.

As the months went by I oftened called all the authorities to follow up with the cutting of the trees. National Parks told me that the needed approval first before the can cut any trees since the trees are heritage. The Member of Parliament for Da’Badie O’Meara office told me the same and also indicated that it would take some time as this matter was out of their Jurisdiction. Tunapuna/Piarco Cooperation claimed that they never received any letter from me. I dropped a letter to them on Friday 27th May 2011. This lead me to think that the lost or misfiled my letter. No one ever cut the trees.

On May 14th 2012, another tree fell this time on the back of my house causing damage to the roof and its structure as well as my fence. I spoke with the MP's office again and one day after they arranged with the Tunapuna cooperation with the removal of the fallen tree. They referred me to the Self Help Department in the Ministry of Social Development in which I filled out forms to receive compensation (materials) for the damages caused by the tree. This form was filled out and submitted on the 21st May 2012. I again wrote to the MP’s office, National Parks and the Tunapuna Cooperation to cut the remainder of the trees around my house. I also spoke with all of the authorities as well explaining the situation. Up to now I have not received any compensation for the damages to my house and fence. Self Help told me that they are out of funds and the instructions they receive is to put on hold all queries. This was back in June 2012. I also tried calling the field officer who viewed the damages at my house but I never get any response from her. I left many messages but to no avail. When I inquired at the Head Office at the Ministry of Social Development- Self Help Department in Port Of Spain, they Lost/Misplaced my file. One of my Questions to them is how come in early June they do not have funds to assist. How can they mis manage the funds in such a short period of time? Budget is usually in September and I am sure they would allocate funds for the entire year and not up to May/June period. How could they lost/ Misplace my file? Can they organise to get my situation dealt with? Nothing was done up to now.

My other concern is that the remainder of trees is constantly falling outside and around my property. There are larger trees threatening to fall on my house again. In months of September and October 2012 five (5) trees fell around my house. Just for the readers information back in July 2012 one tree fell and killed a person who was driving on the Eastern Main Road by Cleaver Woods.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Dad_killed_after_tree_falls__branch_strikes_car-161395005.html OR http://www.wintvworld.com/e-news/?p=15972

These are the same set of trees being requested to be cut. When I speak to National Parks they sent workers to cut the trees which they never did. They workers said they do not have a branch cutter, they also mention that they are in negotiations with awarding a contract to have all of the trees cut. I get the impression that the workers do not want to cut the trees. No offense meant but to me they look lazy and do not care. The MP’S office said they do not have Jurisdiction and also it would be illegal to send someone to cut the trees since they are in the process of negotiations to award a contract to have the trees cut. When I ask how long it would take they indicated that it could take a while and that I will have to hope and pray that the other trees do not fall on my house again. I am sure if it was a tree threatening to fall on the Ministers house they would have cut it already and all the remainder of trees a long time ago.
I also got a letter and a phone call from the Tunapuna Cooperation saying that they do not deal with such issues and that they have referred my case to the Horticultural Society. This was in response to my letter which I send in May 2012. Bear in mind they lost/Misplaced my letter dated back in 27th May 2011.

I would like to know if another tree falls on my house will I receive any compensation since I am still awaiting compensation from the tree that fell back in May 2012. Right now I have to be constantly be moping the room every time the rain falls and the room is constantly deteriorating. Everything in that room have been ruined.

I would also like to know with the constant falling trees around my house will the remainder of trees be cut.

Can someone PLEASE ASSIST?

Yours Respectfully,
Sterling Seebransingh
773-4150