Hanover chamber boss wants NWA to make Lucea hurricane-ready

Western Bureau:

Despite an assurance from the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) that the parish is in a state of readiness for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Shermaine Anderson-Gayle, president of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, has written to the National Works Agency (NWA), expressing dissatisfaction with the preventative works the agency has done to prevent flooding in the parish capital, Lucea.

In her letter, addressed to Robert Francis, the NWA’s regional manager, and Kiel Brown, the agency’s parish manager, Anderson-Gayle outlined preventative works that the agency needs to carry out in the parish, particularly in Lucea, which she believes is key to preventing flooding, disruption and damage should there be any adverse weather occurrences.

“I am writing to urgently request that the Lucea West River (Riley River) be cleaned and cleared as a matter of priority in preparation for the hurricane season,” wrote Anderson-Gayle, while noting that the Lucea West River, or Riley River as it is commonly known, the Venture Gutter in the town, and the Kew River are three potential sources of problems should the town experience adverse weather.

“Historically, this river (Lucea West River) has been a major point of concern during periods of heavy rainfall. In past hurricane seasons, blockages and poor drainage along that river have led to significant flooding in and around the Lucea town centre,” she added.

Anderson-Gayle also highlighted the fact that when there is flooding in Lucea, it hampers the movement of pedestrians, leaves residents stranded, disrupts businesses and severely delays transportation routes, including access to key facilities and thoroughfares. She also noted that with the new developmental projects taking place, there is an increase in the volume of water run-off, which is putting added pressure on the drains.

SERIOUS THREAT

“Flooding due to unaddressed river blockages would pose a serious threat to public safety, hinder commerce, and undermine the attractiveness of our area to visitors and investors alike,” the letter stated. “The chamber remains ready to collaborate and assist in any way possible to ensure this matter receives the attention it deserves.”

Checks by The Gleaner have revealed that sections of both the Lucea West River and the Kew River at the eastern end of the Lucea town is now blocked with bamboos, while the Venture Gutter, which runs through the middle of the town, is badly in need of attention.

When contacted, Sheridan Samuels, the mayor of Lucea and chairman of the HMC, told The Gleaner that the NWA is responsible for both rivers and the Venture Gutter, even though the HMC has assisted in clearing them whenever the funds are made available to that agency.

In a recent radio interview, Stephen Shaw, the communication and customer services manager at the NWA, disclosed that all the parish managers have been advised to do assessments and needs requirements in their parishes with a view to prioritising and doing disaster preparedness work for the hurricane season. It is not known how much money will be allotted to each parish to carry out the necessary works.

Samuels told The Gleaner that the HMC shares the sentiments and concerns of the chamber of commerce, as there is an immediate need for some work to be done in both the Kew and Lucea West rivers, and the Venture Gutter.

“We at the HMC have made many different appeals for the resources to assist in those three areas, but to no avail,” said Samuels. “Attention is needed before the rains start, and the danger is that, if especially the bamboos in the rivers are not taken out and trucked away, it is going to affect the waterfront areas of the town. The last time it was like that, the contractors hired to remove the bamboos just released the bamboos into the harbour and they all came and lodged on the ‘fisherman’s beach’ in the town.”

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