There is no quick fix solution facing residents suffering with water woes on Cumber Avenue Bodden Town.
Government Representatives meet with Cumber Avenue residents. Photo: Jewel Levy |
This was again told to residents by government representatives visiting the area on Thursday.
Cumber Avenue sits in a basin with nowhere for the water to go once the surrounding area ponds have filled up. When this happens, homes and yards are flooded, residents were told.
Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts, Health Minister Anthony Eden, Works Minister Arden McLean, Tourism Minister Charles Clifford, MLA Osbourne Bodden, NRA Brian Tomlinson along with other government representatives were on hand to address the situation. Even public health representatives made an appearance. They advised residents on the importance of water safety, mould, mosquito breeding, infections and removal of damaged waste.
During the talk with residents a number of suggestion were made, such as relocating residents, raising homes, lowering the streets, tearing up the streets, putting in drain pipes, injection wells, pumping, digging out the ponds, filling or bringing in a drain engineer.
But when all was said and done and representatives had left the area, only an NRA pumping truck had turned up to clear blocked drain wells leaving residents wondering if anything will be done.
Some residents have moved out of the neighbourhood while others who are sticking it out are left with the situation of sleeping in their mudded homes or having to wade through water.
But the real concern of residents in the area is that the rain water is contaminated with raw sewage water and poses health risks.
‘Imagine it was over five years ago our Bodden Town representatives told us this was not a quick fix situation and still what have they done up to today to address the situation,?’ said community spokesperson Twyla Vargas.
‘I am calling on The Leader of Government Business Mr. Kurt Tibbetts, Mr. Arden McLean, and all of the representatives from this district to address this situation.
‘Residents are sick and tired of the same story, which was said a long time before Hurricane Ivan. They need to do something now about the situation,’ said Ms Vargas.
Cumber Avenue was one of the communities hit hardest by flooding as residents had to seek cover when water flowed into their homes during the passing of Hurricane Paloma.
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