Contractor giving residents of Downer Street Grove hell

Mar 19, 2025 Letters

Dear Sir

Please afford me some space in your letter column as this appears to be the only means by which my problem will receive attention.

I am a resident of Downer Street, Grove Village, East Bank Demerara. In January, a contractor, probably Japarts (by the name on the equipment being used) was given the project of reconstructing the drain in our street. This was welcome due to the drainage problem that we suffered. However, all the goodwill has now mostly evaporated, due to the indifferent attitude of the contractor. As the Vice President was right to point out, there was very poor, if any, supervision on the site.

On the 19^th January, the excavator severely damaged three sections of my fence. I was assured that it would be restored. Until now, nothing has been done and it appears that the contractor has left the site. I spoke to a number of officials at various times. These were people from the contractor, the Ministry and even the granters of the loan, CDB, I believe. All I got was promises and more promises – but no action.

I even ventured to the website of the Ministry of Works and left a complaint. I got a notification that my Ticket No. was 22 (probably the number of fools, who were hoping for some relief). I even posted photos of my damaged fence on their Facebook page, but it appears I was just blowing in the wind.

Additionally, on the project itself, I have observed some worrying aspects. For a major part of the drain, the surface of the street is about twelve inches above the top of the drain. This has made the parapet very steep, and as a result, when there is a shower of rain, all the sand gets washed into the drain. The drain is already filling up with sand, so negating its effectiveness. It appears that there was no engineering input into its design or approval.

Secondly, the wooden frameworks used to cast the bridges, have been left in place. In a few months’ time, these will collapse and cause further blockage in the drain.

Thirdly, the contractor has left some old wood and sandbags in front of the premises of my neighbour. To say the least, it looks very unsightly.

Sir, I am asking for your kind help to publish this letter, so that some relief can be afforded us.

Thanking you

Fed-up Resident

(Contractor giving residents of Downer Street Grove hell)

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(CDB), Japarts, The drain, Vice President

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