December 22, 1999

GIS - Government has extended the payment of rentals for families rendered homeless by the earth movements at Black Mallet and Maynard Hill for another three months and has assured property owners most at risk that they will be relocated in an orderly manner at Carellie Gardens on the basis of individual arrangements. This was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony Tuesday night as he addressed and responsed to concerns of residents and property owners from the affected areas, including Tou Rouge, at the NIS Conference Centre.

Accompanied by MP for Castries East, Tourism Minister Mr. Philip J. Pierre and members of the Special Task Force he appointed to oversee relocation and rehabilitation efforts, the Prime Minister said the Planning Department of his Ministry was "advanced in its plans to develop lands identified for the relocation." He praised those affected for the way they handled themselves in the situation, "especially at a time when you should be joining the rest of the nation in the celebrations of the season." He told the worried and displaced victims: "You have been magnificient. You have handled yourselves with the dignity and patience and understanding that offers a good example to the rest of the nation of how to cope with such disasters."

Dr. Anthony showed the large crowd of concerned persons copies of physical mapping plans identifying numbered lots in the area to be occupied and assured that the "necessary infrastructure will be properly installed to facilitate the orderly development of the area."

The Prime Minister said Director of Planning, Mrs Allison King-Joseph, had on Monday met with existing residents of Carellie Gardens and addressed their concerns regarding further development of the area. Mrs King-Joseph, who also addressed the gathering, indicated that some 50 families had in the meantime been relocated to other areas.

Dr. Anthony reported he had "just received a copy of the report" of the geotechnical engineering firm that had been undertaking tests in the area, Strata Engineering, whose head, Mr. Roosevelt Isaac, also addressed the meeting. Mr. Isaac told the gathering his researck and investigations revealed the earth movements down the area's slopes were sparked by "a series of earthquakes in the area in June, July and October", which had the effect of "decreasing the saferty factor" with every movement and led to shifting of several "quicksand layers of saturated soil."

The soil engineer recommended various types of simultaneous drainage and remedial works by way of "de-watering of the slope through drilling of piles and planting of specific types of trees." But he warned that "another Venezuela" could well happen here "if people continue to bhild homes any and everywhere without proper planning."

Dr. Anthony, who answered questions from some 25 persons in the audience, said "the de-watering approach was also recommended by a team of scientists from the University of the West Indies (UWI)" who also conducted a separate, back-up assessment. Both studies, the Prime Minister added, relied on data compiled from seismological reports from relevant research centres in the Caribbean, based on tests carried out locally at various times since the earth movements assumed dangerous proportions last October.

The Prime Minister disclosed an overseas-based Caribbean firm will soon be here to begin the exercise, even while government continued to consider the full value of the relocation package and the mitigation exercises.

At the end of what he described as "a very good, frank and productive exchange" Dr. Anthony told an appreciative and attentative audience: "While I can't wish you a Happy and Merry Christmas in the circumstances which face you today, I hope the assurances we have given you tonight will at least ensure that you will, by the Grace of God and with the assistance of the Government, be assured of more comfort in another, safer place in the new year."

SOURCE: Government Information Service