The earth movement at Black Mallet and Maynard Hill continues, and Government's response has been the following:

• Identification of those structures that were at risk of collapse by the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and to immediately relocate those residents. The Office of Disaster Preparedness in the Office of the Prime Minister has led the relocation effort.

• Establishment of a Task Force with representation from the Office of the Prime Minster, the District Representative, Ministry of Communications, Works, transport and Public Utilities, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Office of Disaster Preparedness, LUCELEC, WASA and Strata Engineering, to coordinate to response efforts.

• Appointment of an independent Engineering Advisor on the issue.

• Continuous monitoring and repair as required of roads, drains, electricity and water supply, and sewerage by the responsible utilities and other agencies.

• Continuous monitoring of structures in the affected area, and ongoing relocation of persons who are housed in structures that may be at risk of collapse. These persons are being assisted with transportation of their effects and three months rental in the first instance. To date 20 families from the area have relocated to government owned or privately owned houses around the island.

• A sub surface site investigation has been initiated. Data from this exercise will inform an economic and adequate design by the engineers of the structure or structures necessary to arrest the earth movement, and to inform as to the underlying cause of the earth movement.

• A review of the drainage characteristics of the area up-slope of, and within immediate area affected has also commenced.

Over the next few days, these activities will continue, and it is anticipated that civil engineering solutions will be prepared by the consultants commissioned by Government in collaboration with Government's engineers, for immediate implementation.

Government has decided to declare the affected area in Black Mallet/Maynard Hill a disaster area, as this will hasten the mobilization of the dedicated resources necessary to ensure that this earth movement is dealt with expeditiously, and that persons affected are assisted as required.

Residents in the area are therefore asked to continue to cooperate with Government Officers and experts commissioned by the Government to work in the area.

Source: Government Information Service