Residents of Stanleytown on the West Bank of Demerara have expressed concern over a section of the fragile sea defence structure aback the community.
According to reports, in recent years the sea defence structure located aback the community close to the Demerara River has been breached on several occasions, mainly during spring tides.
No official from the Sea Defence Unit (SDU) of the Works Ministry could be reached last evening and Head of the National Drain-age and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth noted that the NDIA is only tasked with carrying out works to a sluice door in the area.
Yesterday, a resident of the area told this newspaper that the situation is a disaster waiting to happen. He said that on several occasions this year, the waters of the Demerara River have overtopped the concrete structure.
He said that a section of the community is consistently flooded and while reports have been made to the authorities on several occasions, nothing has been done to remedy the situation. The man lamented too that shoddy works were undertaken at the area as recently as two months ago.
This newspaper visited Stanleytown yesterday for a firsthand look at the situation. Around 4 pm yesterday, the river was overtopping the concrete structure while water was also flowing freely under several sandbags which were placed at two points within the concrete wall. There was evidence that works were done at several points along the sea wall, including where there were seepages. Several huge cracks were also visible while a section of the top of the sea wall had been broken by the force of the river.
According to a resident who fishes in the area, the concrete wall had broken several months ago and the authorities subsequently undertook works to stem the breach. He said that while the work proved effective, the works crew did not recognize that the entire structure was fragile.
He said that sandbags were then placed to stem the flow of water through the walls but he noted that it was only a matter of time before the water flowed through the blockage. ”I does be out here many times and notice exactly what you noticing and to me this here going cause plenty problem”, the man said as he pointed to the water which was flowing beneath the sand bags.
Another resident noted that the authorities needed to boost the sea defence structure there since according to him, whenever the tide rises, the water overtops and would flood yards in proximity.
