Residents of Holmes Stelling, in Tiger Bay, Georgetown, believe that ongoing work at the Avinash Complex on Water Street is putting them at risk and want authorities to intervene.
A concerned resident, who gave his name as D. Halley, told Stabroek News that residents of the community are concerned that there are no health and safety measures in place to protection them as the works go on.
Halley made it clear that they are not in any way trying to hinder the work being done or the development of the country but added that they want their safety to also be given consideration.
With the work done thus far, he said, the main issue for residents was the vibration caused by the heavy- duty machines, which resulted in the homes of the residents shaking and some appliances being damaged.
With that stage of the works now over, he said, they are concerned about the major work set to complete a pipe storage facility, including pile driving, and the damage that can result if measures are not put in place.
Halley pointed out that most of the homes were on supporting blocks and that if the houses were to shift even a quarter of an inch every day it could be a disaster for the occupants.
Halley said he had informed President Irfaan Ali of the situation during the head of state’s recent visit to the Tiger Bay community. However, as of yesterday when Stabroek News visited, no one had come to follow up with the residents.
The man called on the officials to look into the matter and address the residents’ concerns.
Another resident, Traceyann Headley, said when the demolition work was being done, her music set fell due to the vibration and was damaged.
As a result of the damage, she told this newspaper, that she reached out to the security guard at the Avinash Complex location to request to speak with someone in charge. Headley said after repeated attempts, she was told by the security guard that “they ain’t got time to worry with nobody right now, they got their job to do.”
The frustrated resident further disclosed that additional work is scheduled to begin sometime soon. She shared her concerns and disappointment at the manner in which things were being done, and explained that no one reached out to them or considered hosting a meeting, where their concerns could have been raised.
She added that when she reaches out to persons, the feedback is not positive even as she reiterated that residents of the community are concerned about their families.
Timeka Adams, also a resident of the community, told this newspaper that a wall in her home was cracked as a result of the demolition that was being done next door.
On that day, she said, they were asked to exit their homes. However, she said she did not see the damage immediately, but a few days after.
Adams is concerned about the next phase of the work.
Previously Stabroek News reported that the demolition was being carried out by a local firm, JR Ranch Inc, which was contracted to do the demolition by one of the oil and gas firms operating here, Saipem, which is one contractors for ExxonMobil.
Calls made by this publication to JR Ranch Inc. went unanswered.
“God forbids the worst-case scenario should happen that one of the houses collapse with one of the residents then we will know about the safety protocols and measures in place when it’s too late,” Halley wrote in a letter to Stabroek News.