Collapse of revetment at Coomacka still to be fixed

… GGMC, engineers assess situation

Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), Gavin Clarke stated on Thursday that engineers were summoned to the Coomacka Mines community along with representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to assess the situation which led to intense flooding and

erosion in the area a month ago.

Heavy downpours had also led to the collapse of revetment to the main access bridge and while there has been no improvement to date, Clarke said the team visited the area on Thursday.

Also speaking on the issue, Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph said officials from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited a day after the incident occurred and had promised to return, however there was no follow-through as promised.

Adolph indicated that about 30 residents from the farming community had been affected, many of who had lost appliances and food supplies in the aftermath. He added that they were assisted by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) with cleaning agents the following day. According to Adolph it was speculated that a dyke in the community had burst which contributed to the situation.

“I was there to see the damage that was done…along with a team from Georgetown to see what remedy could be taken to avoid the flood again. They promised to come back within a week, but unfortunately on to today they haven’t returned. What they suggested is a dyke was burst somewhere up in the mines,” Adolph stated.

Chairman of the Coomacka Development Council (CDC) Dexter Harding had stated that it was the third time that the access bridge had collapsed and pointed to faulty work by the contractor.

Harding had publicly complained over the issue prior to last month’s flooding. Another possible cause highlighted by the CDC chairman is the suspected over-topping of ponds/reservoirs belonging to bauxite company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI).

The downpour had also led to massive flooding and erosion in the small farming community which also caused the water trunklines to be exposed. Officials of the RDC had responded to the problem within minutes as the REO, an engineer, the bridge contractor, and other officials visited the scene.

Harding said officials were trying to come up with solutions as well as to make contact with BMGGI regarding the issue. He had also indicated that the Agriculture Ministry’s permanent secretary visited the scene. A meeting was also hosted with several engineers to see what they could do about the drainage network to avoid a recurrence of flodding.

The CDC Chairnan said he was also expecting a visit from the Civil Defence Commission but to date no work has been carried out. (Utamu Belle)