Residents of the three East Bank Demerara villages that suffered massive flooding after a koker gave way in early October, are to receive material support as government has set aside $11 million to cater for this, but it might just be too little, too late.
Responding to a query from Stabroek News yesterday, Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker said Cabinet has responded to petitions from the residents and while the $11 million is not compensation, its “relief”. He said it would be distributed by way of material support, with no cash involved.
Whittaker said affected tenants would receive items such as mattresses and other household effects, while homeowners will be assisted by the Public Works Ministry which will work with the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) to facilitate a waiver of rates and taxes.
Whittaker also stated that persons from the NDC along with persons from the Ministry of Local Government are going around to the affected villages and informing residents of the government’s intention. He said they hoped to have systems in place to start providing the relief by weekend.
Earlier, the Alliance for Change (AFC) offered support and followed up by distributing claim forms. Of the 280 forms handed out, 160 were submitted to the party by residents, AFC member Michael Carrington said.
He said the $11 million would not suffice and a tally of the residents’ losses would be made based on the claim forms and another letter written to President Donald Ramotar to negotiate for a reasonable offer; at least two-thirds of the amount would be reasonable, he said. A live television segment is planned where residents will be able to highlight their woes and if the government does not make a better offer they will protest. If all else fails, he said, they would take the government to court since it was negligence that caused the koker’s door to give way.
The door of the koker, which serves the Nandy Park, Peter’s Hall and Providence areas, gave way sometime around 4.30 pm on October 8, resulting in the three areas being flooded. The water receded around 7 pm only to return some six hours later in its full destructive force. The water level rose to 4 feet and five inches, while in some areas there were signs that indicated a higher level resulting in major losses in crops and livestock.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Fannet Branford, one of the four persons elected by the residents to speak on their behalf, said residents would not accept any offers by the government until the amount is reasonable.
She said the residents are willing to take the government to court, since the koker’s door was smashed mainly because of the negligence of the NDC and poor monitoring by the authorities, who were placed in charge to make sure that all systems are running smoothly.
Maria Bailey, another spokesperson for the Peter’s Hall residents, said that letters with affected residents’ signature attach-ed to them were sent to the President in November, since they felt the Local Government Ministry had neglected them. However, there has been no response from the President.
