THERE is confusion over whose responsibility it is to clean and maintain the drains along the main roads in Couva and California in Central Trinidad.

The Couva Talparo Tabaquite Regional Corporation (CTTRC) claims that it is not obligated to clean the filthy drains.

A spokesman for CTTRC insisted that the drains on the main road in the area are the responsibility of Ministry of Works, Drainage Division.

However, when the TnT Mirror contacted the Ministry of Works, Central Drainage Unit, a spokeswoman contended that CTTRC is responsible for cleaning the drains.

“The Drainage Division is responsible for clearing rivers and natural waterways,” she explained.

Many of the drains are in a mess; they are stink with an unbearable stench, making pedestrians who must pass close by uncomfortable!

Some are stagnant and filled with all sorts of garbage, including plastic bottles and other non-biodegradable materials.

They are health hazards and breathing grounds for mosquitoes.

In every crack and crevice.

... and the garbage piles up.

The place needs cleaning.

The responses by both officials are clear reasons why the drains are not being cleaned. When TnT Mirror spoke to a businesswoman in the area, she said: “Once in a blue moon they clean the drains.” She further revealed that when rain falls, the area ex-periences serious flooding as a result of the clogged drains.

This is how we dispose of our refuse.

The spokeswoman also lamented that there is too much littering by pedestrians and others passing through the streets.

She is calling on the authorities to put into effect the law on littering and to ensure that the drains are cleared at least once a week.

Meanwhile, other concerned residents have expressed alarm that there are food places operating next to the clogged drains.

“In Couva, a van selling doubles is parked right next to the stinking drains and in California, one of the clogged drains is situated next to an establishement,” one resident lamented.