Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 09, 2014 News
Residents of Enmore North, East Coast Demerara are holding their breaths, hoping that those responsible for fixing the pump that drains their community do so on time to prevent further flooding.
The community’s drainage pump has been inoperable for almost three months and now that the customary rainy season has begun, residents are already feeling the impact of the non functioning pump.
Kaieteur News understands that the pump which was installed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo has been plagued by mechanical problems from the inception.
Last year this newspaper had carried an article highlighting the problems. But although repair work was carried out, the facility continues to malfunction for different reasons; the latest being a leaky hydraulic hose.
The pump has been down since late February and despite appeals to the contractor responsible for its maintenance, the situation remains the same.
This newspaper visited the small community located a few meters from the Enmore seawall and several inches of water were visible in several yards.
Residents claimed that the water had been there for the past week and judging from the stench emanating from it, there is every likelihood that they could suffer waterborne diseases if the situation is not rectified as soon as possible.
Edwin Kalladin, a resident of the area said that it’s been one year since the pump has been experiencing severe mechanical problems and since, the community has been inundated with water whenever it rains.
“Dem jus come and chuk-chuk de pump lil bit and after then it just cut off up to now, neva wuk back good,” Kalladin said.
“Even if we get half day wuk from dis pump, we gon deh lil good,” he added.
He said that apart from the mechanical problems plaguing the pump, the operators are often seen imbibing more than working.
“Three day now dem deh drinking rum at de pump…and when I talk dem seh leh I go and report who I want report to,” the resident told this newspaper.
Residents had been relying on the nearby GUYSUCO drainage pump in the interim; but the sugar company’s facility is presently under repairs also leaving the Enmore North residents with no drainage alternative.
The man responsible for operating the pump explained that although he is not responsible for repairing the pump, he has been at the receiving end of verbal abuse from residents who are obviously frustrated by the situation.
He said when he contacted the contractor responsible for repairing the pump, he was greeted with more abuse.
“Me call am Saturday, and he say he can’t help me out…dah is nah me pump buddy. Why dem nah come and fix am?” the pump operator lamented.
According to the operator, for three years the pump has not been properly serviced and this has led to the current problems being experienced.
“Me disgust, like me wan lef dis wuk. Me disgust wid dem people dis…Gawd man, none body nah come check dis thing. Dem people dis (residents) when me pass, dem ah cuss me because me ah de operator,” the operator said.
“De contractor ah get me money so he nah care,” the man added.
Residents claim there is already flooding with the little rain so far, there is bound to be much more hardship when the rainy season intensifies.
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