The illegally dug natural gas well in the Diamond Housing Scheme, on the East Bank of Demerara, erupted again yesterday morning.
A neighbour, who spoke with Sunday Stabroek, explained that strange sounds were heard coming from the well on Friday evening. She related that the next morning, several workers from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) turned up at the site and were observed working on the well.
According to the woman, she had not realised that water was once again springing from the well until two hours later, when she decided to check on her clothes which were on a line in the back yard.
She recalled that she was greeted by clothes which were covered in mud from the well. She noted, too, that at no point had the workmen informed them of what was going on. The women reported that the workers left by midday. Attempts to contact head of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison on what transpired were unsuccessful.
On June 14th, the illegally dug well erupted, ejecting water and mud up to 100 feet in the air. Diamond resident Soownauth ‘Water Man’ Gorakh had reportedly dug the well in the yard of his Sixth Street home some time ago and was using it for domestic purposes.
Gorakh claimed, via a statement issued by the Region Four administration that he and his wife, Tulabhaduree, had attempted to dig the well after experiencing water troubles. The woman claimed that the family has suffered over $20 million in damage. The Gorakhs’ immediate neighbours have also suffered varying degrees of damage.
