By NALINEE SEELAL Friday, September 3 2010

Head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) Colonel George Robinson spent his last day in office yesterday after signaling his intention that he was returning to his substantive post at Petrotrin. He was on secondment at the ODPM.

Yesterday Robinson told Newsday he spent his last day as head of ODPM working and was looking forward to returning to his job as chief security officer at Petrotrin.

“I am continuing to work although its my last day here,” was all Colonel Robinson said.

Today, he will officially hand over to the second in command at the ODPM, the Mitigation Officer.

Although the Ministry of National Security short-listed five persons as possible replacements for Robinson, the vacancy is yet to be filled.

It is hoped that after Government’s retreat in Tobago, the new ODPM head will be announced.

Sources say retired Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Carl Alfonso is one of the persons being considered for the job.

On August 11, in the midst of the flooding challenges, Robinson indicated his intention to step down.

Minister of National Security Brigadier John Sandy, to whose ministry the ODPM reports, then confirmed Government was in the process of seeking a replacement. However, he said Robinson would proceed on leave in early to mid September.

The ODPM’s role in disaster relief took centre stage since May with the perennial flooding and an above-average rainy season. The ODPM has been criticised for its initial response to recent spates of flooding, but Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has noted the ODPM’s responsiveness has improved.