Naparima landslips take toll on eight houses

Eight houses in the Naparima constituency are on the verge of collapse after recent heavy rains caused land erosion in several villages. During a tour of Cipero Road, Borde Narve, Naparima MP Nizam Baksh said there were 85 landslips along six roads in his constituency. He identified Cipero, St Croix, Jaipaulsingh, Reform, Garth and Corial Roads as being severely affected. 

At Cipero Road, several residents complained that the structure of their homes had started to crack. Sylvan Rampersad said he had to build a concrete drain alongside his house to hold up the land. “I am fed up of this. I have been begging the MP to help me...Whenever rain falls the land moves,” Rampersad said. Arjoon Rampersad, whose home has started to sink into the landslip, said he was fearful of staying in the house. 

“The posts are leaning and we are begging the Government to relocate us,” Rampersad said. His neighbour Nadir Mohammed said he planted bamboo trees to the back of his house, hoping that the erosion would subside. However, he said this was not helping. 
Afroze Baboolal said she built a retaining wall at the front of her home and this held up her home. 

“Some of the landslips are major ones and they are causing the houses to move,” Baksh said. He noted that enforcement of building codes was necessary. Baksh added that people needed to be educated about proper building practices and explained that there was a belt of red clay in the Naparima constituency which caused land erosion. He said he planned to submit a list of landslips to the ministry and make representation to have them fixed.