JUST ONLY A YEAR AGO, Minister of Water Resources and Drainage Denis Lowe swore that the severity of flooding Barbadians had come to know would be no more.
Dr Lowe was at the time speaking to the perennial flood spots to which he had brought some relief.
Drains had been cleared and expanded, and that should have “significantly reduced” the stress suffered by many a marooned resident, he proclaimed.
The minister boasted then that Holetown was doing well – “much beyond [the] expectations” of the Drainage Unit. Critical areas had been addressed in concert with the National Conservation Commission.
He was pretty happy too with the drainage systems in The City. The major hurdle was the clearing of the drains and removal “of several tonnes of debris”. Dr Lowe was especially pleased with the work on the Constitution River.
One year on, there is still deluging in The City and in the other old flood spots of St Michael; and streams and rivers have now been springing from the southern streets of Christ Church.
Truth be told, the Rapid Response Team of the Department of Emergency Management was there for trapped and panicking residents all last week; as were the Barbados Fire Service and the other Samaritans. But no high profile of the Drainage Unit – and nary a word from the optimistic Dr Lowe.
“When the rain is falling there should still be work going on,” the minister once said of the Drainage Unit crew. “I have always wondered why when the rain is falling, persons in Drainage are not out there scouting and perhaps trying to answer questions as to why such areas are flooding.”
We are not sure the Drainage Unit people weren’t there at all last week; we just didn’t see them – or Dr Lowe.
To be fair to the minister, though, he has always preached the community participation concept of dealing with flooding and drainage. And we agree a great measure of cooperation is necessary, so that the comfort and safety of residents are not at risk.
MP for St Michael West Central James Paul was frank about it. Much of the flooding in his area he attributed to uncleaned and uncleared wells – poor maintenance. But residents had contributed, he pointed out, with their dismal disposal of refuse.
Add to this the challenges the Sanitation Service Authority faces with its truck maintenance and collection times, and Dr Lowe has a veritable pain in the neck.
But we need to hear from him – if only it’s but a whimper.
