As the water rises once again at the Kwakwani riverfront, Region Ten Councillor Elroy Adolph maintains that the community must be relocated to higher ground.
“I’ve compiled a list of more than 20 names of persons who said they wanted to move to higher ground and I am taking it into the [regional administration] so that we can contact either Housing or Lands and Survey for advice on areas where they can be relocated,” Adolph told Stabroek News yesterday.
The Councillor’s position might just be supported by a Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) report expected to be submitted by the end of next week.
According to the Preparedness and Response Manager of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Salim October, the Detailed Damaged Sectoral Assessment is being finalised for regions 2,5,6,7 and 10.
“The report will have very specific recommendations for short-, medium- and long-term recovery. I’m not at liberty to say what the interventions coming out of the DDSA process are but what I do know is that given what we have experienced in those areas, including Kwakwani, it is clear that consideration must be given to persons in terms of relocation, rebuilding in a much more robust manner… A number of other things must be considered but specifically these are the key interventions that will be undertaken,” Octobers said.
Adolph explained that since May, floodwaters have not completely receded from the waterfront community.
“The water goes and comes with the rain and we had a couple days of rain… last night there was thunder and lightning with heavy rain… so right now there is three feet of water at the lowest point,” he said, before adding that some residents have chosen to remain in their homes even as the waters have begun to erode the foundation of some buildings.
He explained that the layout of the community makes infra-structural alleviation efforts futile.
“The area is the bank of the river… it is bordered by the river and a swamp. I don’t think the Ministry of Public works or anyone else can do anything especially in light of global warming and rising sea levels. The only option is relocation to higher ground where you would not get overtopping. We have to prepare for different weather now,” he stressed.
The Councillor explained that the last time the area was severely flooded, the then chair of the CDC, Major General (Retd) Joe Singh, had suggested relocation but the residents were unwilling.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dwight John also referenced the previous advice from the CDC adding that relocation is currently being discussed at both the regional level and that of central government.
In the interim, the CDC continues to maintain shelters and monitor the area for any diseases or other outbreaks.
Currently approximately 70 persons are still housed in Region 10 shelters.
Arima Nursery and Primary has 13 persons, Kwakwani Primary has 21 persons, Kwakwani Hostel has four, Horroru Day Care Centre has 16, Rockstone Primary has three, Rockstone Guest house has nine, Three Friends Community Centre has six, and the Women’s building in Three Friends has one.
