Hundreds in Hanover to miss back-to-school benefits due to flooding

WESTERN BUREAU:

Repeated flooding in the Oceanpointe Housing Scheme in Point, Hanover, is being blamed for the suspension of the 2026 ‘Back to School’ treat, usually hosted by the Oceanpointe Community Outreach Group for children within the parish.

In an interview with The Gleaner, Chairman of the Oceanpointe Community Outreach Group and board member of the Homeowners’ Association in the development, Nickolette Robotham, stated that after careful consideration, the Homeowners’ Association has decided to suspend the event for 2026.

The back-to-school treat is usually held in the third week of July and, as such, it is hoped that early announcement of the suspension will give the parents and guardians enough time to put alternative plans in place.

Suspension of the event will be hard-felt, especially against the background that Hurricane Melissa did extensive damage to many homes within the parish, with clothes, books and other personal belongings for both adults and children, especially in the eastern sections of the parish, completely destroyed.

The treat normally caters to about 1,000 children, providing books, clothing and other necessities.

“This decision was not taken lightly. However, the board’s immediate priority is addressing recent flooding issues that have attracted national attention and caused significant concern within the community,” she stated.

Explaining the additional concerns of homeowners, she pointed out that following the last flooding in the housing development about one month ago, when motor vehicles, furniture and other fixtures were damaged in several residences – especially in phases five and six of the development – the homeowners decided to hire an engineer to analyse why the flooding was continuously taking place.

“The report from the engineer is now in hand, and the homeowners are seeking solutions to the problems” she stated.

Robotham told The Gleaner that the homeowners’ association has written to the developer, outlining the findings of the engineer’s assessment report on the housing scheme, and requesting urgent remedial action to the findings in the report. She said that they are awaiting a response from the developer.

AWAITING A RESPONSE

“The community is awaiting a response (from the developer), and remains hopeful that he will work collaboratively with the association to address the issues identified, and restore confidence in the development,” Robotham said.

The Gleaner has been informed that the housing development, with its approximately 431 units, has been experiencing flooding at least twice per year, each year, since the units have been occupied some four years now.

“I have written to the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) and I was informed by them that no environmental impact assessment report was done before the construction of this development, even though it was supposed to be done,” Robotham pointed out, arguing that the changes made to water channels surrounding the development would have necessitated an approval from NEPA for the works to take place.

This fact, along with the engineer’s report stating that “there are multiple systemic issues with the drainage infrastructure, including design deficiencies, and tidal back-flow complications”, is of great concern to homeowners and residents.

“At this stage, our focus is on engaging constructively and seeking resolution. We are guided by the findings of the independent engineering report, and are exploring all appropriate options with guidance,” Robotham stated.

She said the engineer’s report has been shared with the developer of the housing scheme, and it is hoped that the issues outlined will be resolved in the best interest of all.

editorial@gleanerjm.com