President of the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) Dr Carson Charles says it was not possible to operate an emergency water-taxi service from Port-of-Spain to Chaguaramas yesterday.

Many citizens using the social networks expressed frustration with Nidco—operators of the water-taxi service—for failing to implement an emergency service to Chaguaramas. There was unprecedented gridlock along the western peninsula from the Audrey Jeffers Highway, near Movie Towne, to Chaguaramas, where the popular Red Bull Flugtag was staged.

Some 40 teams were registered to  participate in the event  and the organisers had advised spectators to car pool to reduce traffic congestion, but that did not work. Charles told the Guardian it was not possible to arrange an emergency service as there was no berthing facilities in the Chaguaramas area. He said the matter was raised by officials of Nidco on Friday, but it was too late to put any measure in place.

Charles said because of the situation yesterday, efforts will now be made to include Chaguaramas among venues for expansion of the water taxi service. The service is currently being expanded to Chaguanas and Point Fortin. “We are definitely going to look at establishing berthing facilities at Chaguaramas now,” he said. Charles noted that the event was very popular and was expected to be even bigger next year. “We will have to do something to prevent a similar situation from taking place in the future,” he said. He said the matter would be pursued once funding was available.