Flood relief dam not being built to specifications

A fbulldozer spreads a truck load of dirt along the manmade earth dam which is being used to construct the sea defence at Mahaicony (Photo by Terrence Thompson)

Residents living between the vulnerable communities of Columbia and Fairfield, in Region Five, have voiced concerns over the earthen dam being constructed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to ease flooding.

During a visit by this newspaper to the communities yesterday, residents said the dam being constructed inland is not being built to the specifications that were announced by head of the NDIA Fredrick Flatts just over a week ago.

According to the residents, the dam, which was supposed to prevent flooding from recurring in their communities, is only four feet high, which they say would not serve the intended purpose.