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Monday, February 5, 2007 – The Ministry of works is looking forward to
the opening of a newly constructed bridge in Boguis, Babonneau, as workmen
attempt to complete the project by the end of February.
The initiative which started in October of 2006 is part of the second disaster
management project, and was commissioned in response to the many cries of
residents, in negotiating access to their homes, especially when it rained.
Contracts Manager in the Ministry of Works Chamberlain Emmanuel, who accompanied
Minister for Works Honourable Guy Joseph on a visit to the bridge last week,
said the new structure has a wider span, which enables it to accept a large
capacity of water, eliminating the issues of the past.
“It was very dangerous when it rained and the previous causeway would “overtop”
because it was just too small, and residents were not able to access their homes
or even return from their farms. Right now the bridge is like a double culvert
bridge with double capacity for at least a one-in-twenty to one-in-fifty-year
storm. So far the contractor has been working reasonably well and with the good
weather that we've been seeing it should be completed in time,” Emmanuel said.
The New Minister for Works, for his part, has welcomed the initiative, mainly
because of the problems it will help alleviate. He said the community has great
potential for development and that the project was a step in the right
direction.
“I think it was a very good initiative of both the previous government and the
former Minister for Works, along with the people from the World Bank. It's a
good idea especially when you look at the role that agriculture plays in this
economy and the focus of our government in terms of agriculture. I think it was
a very good undertaking to get this bridge done and to especially bring it to
the height it is now,” the minister said.
Officials say though they expect the project to be fully completed by the end of
February, residents would be able to use it before that time.
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