Residents of the Bougain-villea Housing Scheme, on the East Bank of Demerara, are concerned about the impact of the ongoing four-lane public road expansion on their community, saying they are already enduring drainage problems as a result of the project.
“When we bought this house it was because it was a gated community .The canal was there as a separation and the children could then ride on this street without fear that a vehicle from the nearby highway could at any time careen off and slam into them…We felt safer at nights because persons couldn’t easily access our homes and could breathe without the stench of stagnant toilet water,” a resident yesterday told Stabroek News.
He said that since the construction of the four- lane highway, there has already been drainage problems as the canal, which ran north to south on the eastern half of the road, was filled in without any alternative drainage being provided. “Everything is done backwards. You first have a study, you consult with residents, you build your foundation and drainage and you go to work. Here they began the road then realised the drainage after residents complained and it seems to us that they just trying to patch wrongs all the time, there seems to be no plan,” he added.
The residents complained that during the past rainy season, there was no proper drainage. Further, those in the first street, which is also on the lowest plain in the neighbourhood, had to endure water backlogging in their yards. They said that it becomes stagnant, since there is nowhere for it to drain off. There is not only the issue of mosquitoes but also the unbearable stench of liquid waste from the septic tanks.
One contractor undertaking works told Stabroek News that the drainage issue is not what it seems, since drainage pipes have been installed to deal with the water. His view was disputed by many residents, who stated that it was only two weeks ago that this was done and it is yet to be tried and tested. “They broke the concrete and put pipes to drain out from the whole scheme to the trench at the back, but we haven’t had much rain to see if this will work so don’t believe,” one of them said.
A prominent engineer said that according to the project blueprint there has been no provision made for appropriate alternative drainage. He said that after the project is completed there will be flooding in the community, especially in the front section. Since the septic system is connected though the drains he anticipates that residents should be prepared given the unpredictable weather patterns. “There is the canal that would be at the back and one would run east to west under the road and eventually into the Demerara River, but remember the front is low and water from the roadway will drain right back there…While there will not be flooding for prolonged periods you still have to ask what happens during the short spans when it is flooded,” he said.
The residents said that they have expressed all their concerns at periodical community consultations and they were told that they should “bear up until the work is finished.” But they remain sceptical and believe that afterwards they will still be complaining. “We bought these houses from Roger Khan for four to five million each then (seven years ago), and is not rich people living in here, but we wanted comfort and security. We never know it would have come to this… and all because of lack of planning by this government,” said a housewife who asked only to be referred to as Zen.
