The Ministry of Public Works’ River and Sea Defence Unit is currently reviewing the best options to repair sections of the Charity river defence which have been deteriorating over the past few weeks.
A statement from the ministry yesterday said that engineers have determined that heavy-duty equipment/trucks that traverse the area – to the port facility – are contributing to the vulnerability of the river defence.
Noting that the wharf is an economic driver in the community and a conduit for businesses to transport goods and services to the North West district, the ministry said that as an interim solution to the residents’ concern, a sign prohibiting heavy-duty trucks and equipment from using the roadway to the wharf – was erected on June 16th, 2014.
The Ministry’s statement came following a report in the last Sunday Stabroek which said that sections of the Charity River Dam, Essequibo Coast had reportedly dropped two feet and the defence dam was being quickly washed away into the Pomeroon River.
Residents had expressed fear that the Dam would be breached and a massive flood would occur.
Several persons living in the area said then that the dam is being washed away because of the concrete wharf and gas station that were recently erected there. “Here was never like this before. If the water come lil more up here and the whole dam wash away, is not only the Squatting area gon flood but the whole of Charity especially how you see the Scheme low already. That is when we nah gon get no more Charity,” one man had said.
