And the flooding continues

Jul 04, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I am a long-standing resident of Kingston, Georgetown. I reside one building away from the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets.
I write to once again call attention to the serious flooding situation which occurs in Kingston East, particularly at the corner of Duke & Barrack Streets. This situation is well known to the authorities of both the present and past administrations. It is a problem that has persisted for decades, causing severe damage to property for which no one in authority has to date been held accountable.
In 2009, a small group of Kingston residents (including myself) came together to seek redress, and have been continuously engaging the subject Ministry on this matter. The frustrations encountered will require many days of writing. Suffice it to say that no progress has been made towards solving this problem.
The opening of the sluices to drain the city seems now to be the norm. This begs the question – whatever happened to internal drainage systems in areas where such systems exist?
As I understand it, Kingston East is supposed to drain via the Young Street Canal, which I know is not overflowing at this present moment. Water therefore should have been moving freely towards the Canal, and not lodged anywhere, awaiting opening of the sluice. Can the internal drainage systems in Kingston East be activated, or have they been compromised?
Quite recently, a seven-storey building has been erected in Duke Street, Kingston. Another building complex in Duke Street, next door to my residence, has been undergoing continuous renovations for some time now. Recent newspaper reports indicate that the seven-storey building will house the offices of ExxonMobil, while the renovated complex will house the offices of the United Nations in Guyana. This means that both entities will be located very close to the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets where flooding is at its worst.
In light of these two important additions to the already long list of corporate entities housed in Kingston, can residents of Kingston East finally expect some action with regard to the problem of flooding in this area, particularly at the intersection of Duke & Barrack Streets, Kingston?
I cannot imagine occupants of our newest and most important entities having to traverse flood waters every time it rains, or when the koker attendant is negligent. Kingston is a very small area – the problem cannot be that insurmountable.
Yours respectfully,
Ranjana Williams (Mrs.)

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