The two homes at Wismar, Linden that were damaged in a mudslide that was accidentally caused by a contractor on November 30 last year are in the process of being rebuilt while the families are staying at relatives in the area.
No one was injured in the mudslide which occurred after an excavator accidentally hit a main water pipe.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips recently handed over some $3.5 million dollar to the region to aid in the rebuilding of the homes.
“Every year my office is allocated money for special projects. So, I decided to treat this as a special project,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted Prime Minister Phillips as stating at the handing over ceremony.
During the simple handing over ceremony, the Prime Minister stated that he is “happy that the project has started” and promised to work along with the families affected.
“We know what happened, and at the end of the day we want to see you back in your own homes. We’re working together to get you back into your homes,” he said.
The area has been cleared of the all debris that was caused by the mudslide, the foundation of the new homes has been started and the water and utilities have been restored, Regional Executive Officer for Region 10, Dwight John told Stabroek News last week.
John hasn’t given any estimated time the homes will be finished for the families to reside in once one again, but said that they are staying by relatives in the area until the two homes completed.
The contractor, Mr Harry (only name given), told Stabroek News yesterday that works have started two weeks ago, and he’s hoping the two homes can be completed in two to three months’ time.
Meanwhile, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman for Region 10, Deron Adams noted that he has not yet visited the construction site, but once he revisits the location tomorrow, he will confirm the works. He added that the families have been greatly supported by the RDC Councillors as the Regional Chairman was out of town on official business. Also, hampers have been given to the affected families.
Members of the RDC administration, the Deputy Mayor, Town Clerk, family, friends and neighbours also pitched in. The displaced seniors have been provided with a place to dwell until better plans are put in place.
When the mudslide occurred, Adams told Stabroek News that the contractor would normally clear the drains of debris for residents in the Wismar community as an act of goodwill. However, on Wednesday, while on top of a hill clearing the drains for residents, the operator of his excavator accidentally hit one of the mains in the area. The water gushed out and accumulated, causing mud on top of the hill to slide. The excavator fell as well.
Adams noted that three houses along with 12 persons from the homes were affected.
Iva Fraser, who lived in one of the damaged houses, told Stabroek News that currently there is no electricity in the area as a result of some electrical poles falling because of the mud slide. Fraser added that currently she was staying at a lumber yard offered by the contractor until the repairs are done to her house. Her house was left leaning as a result of the disaster.
Adams recalled that mud flowed into a house, while two others were damaged. Also, debris covered the roads. He said that after the accident the operator of the excavator could not be found but fears over his fate were dispelled after CCTV footage from the area showed that he disembarked the excavator and ran away. The Chairman said he found out later that the operator was afraid, panicked, and ran away.
He added that although the contractor was trying his best to help the residents, he should have informed the technical engineers or the RDC. He explained that the contractor could have been advised by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) about where the electrical wires and mains in the area were located. He said that practice goes for all contractors that are awarded projects by the administration when doing works in the area.
Adams said that he has engaged the necessary authorities in the area to assist the contractor to carry out the repairs for the affected residents as well as to clear the debris, electrical wires and poles that fell in the area.
