The Peter’s Hall Koker door which was smashed on Wednesday October 8, resulting in the major flooding of three villages on the East Bank Demerara is in its final stages of completion, as residents await compensation for damage to their property.
When Stabroek News visited the koker yesterday, the new door was in place and workers were seen welding a horizontal steel beam on top of the koker. The temporary “stop logs” seemed to have been useful since there were no further complaints of flooding, much to the relief of some residents.
Although the newly constructed door was in place, there were still questions
by residents about the type of materials used in constructing it. One resident, who requested anonymity and said that he has been an engineer for almost 15 years, stated that greenheart used in the construction of the door was “the wrong wood.” He said Mora would have been a better choice, since it is better suited for heavy construction works especially on jetties and foreshores.
Meanwhile, according to an affected resident, Elisabeth Ramjohn, a meeting was held at the Peter’s Hall Primary School with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Words-worth and the residents.
At that meeting, she said, the minister had told the residents that they might not receive full compensation and must submit evidence of their losses so as to receive some compensation.
Amanda Kissoon, a housewife and part-time student at Carnegie Cul-inary School said tractors from the Neighborhood Democratic Council had already removed some of her damaged household items. “ Dem carry away all the mud up and soak up mattress and all my carpets and chairs, now I don’t have any proof, how will I get my things back?” she said.
All efforts to contact Minister Whittaker yesterday were futile.
Wordsworth, who was contacted, would only say that the NDIA is working towards completion of the koker today. He further stated that the door had been put in place since Wednesday but more work was needed to reinforce the top of the structure.
