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Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde and U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela admiring the bench that was creating using two saman trees, which were removed when work on the project was carried out.

Flooding relief

Some St. James residents breathing easier after Water Resource Management and Flood Resilience Project

Residents and businesses in Holetown and Trents, St. James have received relief from the devastating effects of flooding which occurs in these areas when there is heavy rain.

 

This as a result of the ‘Water Resource Management and Flood Resilience Project’, which was carried out recently. The closing ceremony for this project, which was done by the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), took place earlier this week.

Work on the project included the upgrading of culverts and the erection of new drainage channels to manage storm water flows to reduce flooding.

 

Addressing the event, Environment and National Beautification Minister, Adrian Forde described the Adaptation Measures to Counter the Effects of Climate Change Project as successful. He thanked all involved for their efforts. He also indicated similar work “will be extrapolated across the other areas that are threatened by these abnormal flooding”.

 

In her address, US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela said the “United States provide US$5.3 million for the project”. She further stated “the success of this project should be used an opportunity for learning and a spring board to make changes in other areas that experience similar drainage problems.”

 

Adding, “this would require planning, resources and prioritisation. The excellent studies developed initially under this particular project must be put into action. These include studies such as the updated Stormwater Management Plan, Flood Alleviation in Trents, Holetown and Speightstown, Storm and Groundwater Quality and the Management of the Holetown Lagoon.”

 

She noted, “there are also inexpensive approaches to reduce the impact of flooding. We should ensure that existing drains are kept free from blockage and that garbage and plastics are adequately stored and safely disposed.”

During Wednesday’s closing ceremony on the lawns of the Sunset Crest Mall, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by the Minster and the Ambassador. They viewed a bench made from saman trees, two of which were removed during the work.

 

Also in attendance at the proceedings was Trents resident, Kenrick Marshall. In his remarks, he said there has been an improvement in water drainage in the area since the work has been completed.

 

“When they were finished I was so proud because I live really close to an area we call the canal, that when the water comes down, every time they have flooding. Since the project finished everything is perfect. The water comes down and goes down through the concrete channel that they made and it goes straight to the sea now. So we feel safer at night sleeping, not worrying about [if] the foundation is going to wash away and the house is going to come down with us and stuff like that. So we are really thankful.”(MG)

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