The massive flooding in the Penal Debe, San Francique areas which occurred over the last two years and continue to occur, the collapse of the shoulder along the Golconda to Debe highway, the gaping crack along the earth in the vicinity of the Golconda overpass, massive flooding and disaster along the Manzanilla-Mayaro road, are all signs of worse things to come.I strongly believe if the Debe to Mon Desir highway is allowed to be constructed, this highway segment will crumble to pieces.
Mr Roger Ganesh, director of highways, said on CNC3 on November 19 that the Manzanilla Road caved in because of the massive flooding in the lagoon.What do you think will happen to the Debe to Mon Desir highway when it is built well within the boundary of the Oropouche lagoon?
The Government has failed to do essential studies in drainage and hydrology, they have failed to comply with the recommendations of the Armstrong report, they therefore don't have a clue as to what they are dealing with. They do not understand the Debe to Mon Desir area. How could they? They have not done the research, they have not done the studies.
Imagine, the Golconda to Debe highway was officially opened on August 30, 2013, and drainage works in the area were not even completed. In fact, it was the very poor drainage that caused the collapse of the shoulder.And this was on high ground. Imagine what will happen along the low-lying flood-prone areas of the lagoon where this government plans to build a substantial part of the Debe to Mon Desir highway.
The saturated soil, the floods, the constant movement and force of the water will undermine the foundation of the highway and it will crumble. It will be a disaster.And who will be responsible for this? The Government–for failing to follow proper process, for failing to abide by the recommendations of the James Armstrong Report, for failing to stop all works and do proper scientific studies, eg hydrological studies, for failing to listen to Dr Wayne Kublalsingh and the HRM.
And who will suffer? The people of Debe to Mon Desir and every other citizen of our nation.I hope the Government sees these occurrences as warning signals, saying take heed. If the Government does not follow proper process, does not stop works and conduct essential studies for the Debe to Mon Desir highway project, history will repeat itself.But when that happens it would be called the Debe to Mon Desir disaster.
Ravina Singh