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Major Drainage Exercise for Land Slippage Areas
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Major Drainage Exercise for Land Slippage Areas
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Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony told a press contingent Monday "that if the land slippage problem was to be finally arrested, a major de-watering exercise would be needed". He said the findings from all the experts indicate that the area retained a substantial amount of water that would have to be drained. Dr. Anthony’s comments came after leading another delegation of officials from the Ministry of Planning together with utility technocrats on an expanded tour of the area. Government has to date retained the services of a Trinidadian firm which is conducting the de-watering exercise scheduled to get underway from as early as next week. "I want to alert residents of the area that they will be seeing some unusual activity in the next few weeks as we begin the process of de-watering and that they should not be alarmed," said Dr. Anthony.
The land slippage, which began in September of 1999, has cost government over $1.2 million. Assistance has come from the Caribbean Development Bank which has approved a loan of $US 500,000 for the re-settlement exercise. That loan awaits parliamentary approval. Prime Minister Anthony says the slippage holds serious lessons for development planners and residents of communities where similar unplanned development has occurred over the years. |
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Tuesday,
January 18, 2000 - The continued increase in land
slippage affecting the areas of Black Mallet and Maynard Hill has prompted
government to seek additional remedial measures aimed at halting the land
movement.
Another
remedial measure adopted included the construction of a berm at a certain
section of the Castries River to assist in stabilization. Meantime Dr. Anthony
has called for mechanisms to be put in place for cleaning up the area.
"Demolition of damaged houses must continue and clearing crews need to be hired
for removing the huge amount of debris. I would also like to see a tree planting
exercise to assist in soil stabilization and in beautifying the area." A
problem of vandalism due to a lack of police presence in the area at night Dr.
Anthony says is also to be addressed.