Results of clean-up, D&I works obvious- Minister Patterson

Georgetown, GINA, May 17, 2016

The efforts expended by Government and other stakeholders to clean-up communities, and to rehabilitate and improve the drainage systems have been welcomed by many.

The onset of the May/ June rains has put the improvements to the test and thus far, flooding has been kept at a minimum. This is especially so where flooding was the norm, after minimal rainfall.

The results of the works undertaken are obvious, thus far, according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, however, there is still more to be done, he acknowledged.

“Obviously I’m pleased but, there are still areas that we have to look at,” he said.

The works executed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s staffers, the Ministry of Communities, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and the residents, he said, are contributing to the lack of flooding at the moment.

He is calling on all persons to continue “doing their bit”, adding that, “hopefully this will be a thing (flooding) of the past.”

He pointed out that the efforts and works completed must be built upon. “It is not just clearing but, building new outfalls, rehabilitation and things like that. We have made a start, so I’m pleased with that.”

Government had embarked on the rehabilitation of the drainage infrastructure as one of its priorities after taking office in May 2015. It has spent huge sums on works in the city and along the coastal regions to prevent and alleviate flooding.