THE RESIDENTS of St Joseph affected by water shortages will welcome any initiative that brings relief to their plight.
This is why the efforts over the weekend to provide some potable water would have been embraced as it complements what the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) has been doing. But, that is no real solution for people accustomed to turning their taps and getting water. The situation remains an encumbrance on their lives.
These good Samaritan efforts do not provide a lasting solution. A continuous reliable supply to the affected areas is just a part of a much more complicated matter that must be addressed in a fundamental way. It is about the Scotland District.
St Joseph, like St Andrew, parts of St Peter, St Thomas and St John, form the Scotland District, a geologically challenging segment of Barbados.
It is a significant part of the island, about 15 000 acres or one-seventh of the total land area, and as such cannot be ignored.
The problem is that it has been overlooked for too long and the approach has been largely spasmodic and specific to the areas under the control of the Soil Conservation Unit.
The area is prone to land slippage and its history in this regard has been well documented. There is degraded and unproductive land in that area and, most importantly, infrastructural damage which has resulted in villages having to be abandoned over the years.
The people of White Hill, St Andrew, should appreciate the challenges given the headaches they face in getting to and from their homes following the damage to their major roadway. The reality is that no amount of patching and covering of the road there will solve the problem.
The residents of Horse Hill, St Joseph, should understand the significant problems the area faces following the abandonment of the St Joseph Parish church and some houses after major structural damage.
The reality is that the BWA, after spending significant sums replacing broken mains in that area, will not be able to guarantee that land slippage will not create constant headaches to maintaining an effective service.
The activism exhibited by the residents of St Joseph is welcoming but needs to move beyond merely demanding temporary relief. It must be about uniting people for a bigger cause – addressing the Scotland District’s challenges.
Dealing with this issue calls for a bipartisan political focus and investment of significant financial resources that may lead to possible resettlement of some districts.
A Government-led initiative supported by civil society should look at the engineering, agronomic and people issues in the Scotland District. There should be no political divide nor playing on the emotions in this instance. It’s about doing what’s best for Barbados.
