Another section of Mahaica seawall
collapses
“Is only when is Election time that politicians does come and promise we all kinda things…then they left we to de mercy of de sea.” These are the sentiments echoed by several residents of the Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara community as they continue to brace themselves for a possible disaster, if the authority that is responsible for the maintenance of the sea defence does not act quickly.
Three days after a contractor sealed a sea defence breach at Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, a huge section of the seawall collapsed a few hundred yards away.
A young resident stares at the collapsed section of the Mahaica sea defence.
Residents said that the sea defence protecting their community has been neglected and the collapse of the section at Unity squatting area is a result of constant undermining.
According to the residents, apart from some spot repairs, there has not been any significant work carried out to the actual seawall since it was erected decades ago. In fact, several sections of the seawall in the area are showing signs of total neglect, and according to residents, it is only a matter of time before total disaster strikes.
Last week a Ministry of Public Works official sought to dispel reports that the sea defence was being neglected.
“At this time we have to do preventative work until the permanent work is approved in the budget,” the official told this newspaper.
Meanwhile, the earthen embankment which was repaired on New Year’s Day is already showing signs of collapsing again.
This newspaper revisited the area on Friday and from all indications, it is only a matter of time before the structure is breached again.
Residents have described the move by the administration as being “penny wise and pound foolish.”
“This is just wasting a lot of money…this temporary thing wha’ dey doing hey ain’t mek no sense. Because you do it and not even a big tide come, and it break away, so by spring tide, nothing ain’t gon deh hey,” another resident observed.
The residents share the view that money can be siphoned off if basic works have to be re-done on a regular basis.
Kaieteur News understands that following the publication of graphic photos of the deteriorating sea defences, Ministry of Public Works officials visited the area, “to tek shame out of dem eye”, according to a few residents.