Dear Editor,
‘Pradoville 2’ is being built right to the sea at Sparendaam contrary to all the warnings the government has been telling us about rising sea levels, climate change, etc. Several government officials are reportedly building homes in Pradoville 2. The intended residents are supposedly claiming the use of special construction techniques enabling them to build dangerously close to the sea. I don’t have a problem with this. Every Guyanese has a right to build a home where he/she wants. Once they are not using or abusing taxpayers’ money or flouting the laws of the land, it is fine by me. Heck, they could build in the sea and I don’t care. Similarly, I don’t care if they build within arm’s reach of the sea and get flooded. Every individual has a right to make choices, however foolish or reckless, as long as they do not break the law. What I am concerned about is that state resources should not be used to enable these individuals to make seemingly reckless choices or to bail these individuals out when those choices are exposed.
What I am concerned about – and this requires investigation by the media houses – is whether any taxpayers’ money is being utilized to prepare this area to allow for intended residents to build their homes in such close proximity to the sea. Are any flood relief measures being undertaken or being considered for this particular area? Are state resources being used to prepare the land or assist with the infrastructure of the scheme itself? Are there any tax concessions granted to the developers, builders and residents?
The problem is that if those special construction techniques are ever proven ineffective against flooding will the government rush to assist with aid? If a man knowingly builds his house on sand he must expect it to be washed away. The people of this nation should insist that those who want to build in such flagrant defiance of the power of the sea must bear the cost of any consequences. They must obtain special insurance to cover for flood disaster and not expect a blind cent from the public purse.
Hardworking taxpayers must not be saddled with the burden of paying for the reckless actions of some.
Yours faithfully,
M Maxwell
