Eddie Hart’s popularity going down the river - TnT Mirror.com

Eddie Hart’s popularity going down the river

By Joeline Thomas

RESIDENTS of Kandahar, Five Rivers, are concerned about the river that is fast eroding large chunks of prime land on both banks.

However, it is the stability of the land under the bridge that has them panicking over the likeliness of an imminent disaster.

At least one of them, Francis Joseph, is bold in his call for some action before the bridge reaches the point of collapse and residents are marooned.

“I’ve been talking for years and nothing has been done,” he told TnT Mirror.

“Erosion has been taking place for the past eight years but has really speeded up over the last few weeks.”

Joseph said Tunapuna Member of Parliament Eddie Hart was fully aware of the problem, as does the councillor for the area but neither is responding to repeated calls for action.

“I’m just frustrated,” he said in total exasperation, not to mention trepidation for his house, which is closest in proximity to the bridge on one of many properties losing gigantic clumps of land to the encroaching river.

“Last year when I looked, the river was close to my fence. Apart from that, the river is twisting and turning and it’s heading right to the house.

“I am sure that, maybe not this year, but by next year my house will be washed away.”

He said the bridge was built in the 1980s by former Works Minister Hugh Francis while a more recent Works Minister Sadiq Khan started a project to construct retaining walls running 100 metres along the river from each corner of the bridge, following representation from then MP Mervyn Assam.

The project was never completed after the change of government and the disgruntled seeks to put the blame squarely at the feet of Hart. Claiming to have since met both the current and former MPs, Joseph said Hart told him three and a half years ago that “they are doing a reassessment of the project”; while, Ministry of Works Supervisors I and II enlightened and Assam confirmed that “it rests in the hands of the Reps (MP)”.

“That project was something very important,” he said.

“My question is if money was passed, why is it not done? Is it a change in government … I don’t know!

“It’s not the government that lives here.

Kandahar, Five Rivers - 01

There is ongoing erosion of the
banks on either side of the bridge.

Plans under former Works Minister
SADIQ BAKSH was to construct the
wall 100 metres long, away from the
bridge on either side.

Kandahar, Five Rivers - 03

A resident stoops at the edge of the
incomplete retaining wall to show
the soil erosion under the bridge
in Five Rivers.

Kandahar, Five Rivers - 04

Is this house next? One resident had
to break down and rebuild several
metres inside; another was washed
away and others yet are being
flooded out after each shower
of rain.

“It’s the residents.”

Clearly not a supporter of Hart’s, he noted that the nearby constituency was well represented by Jarrett Narine, who has many pavement and drainage projects either completed or on-the-way.

The area councillor had backhoes compact dirt around the bridge last year but Joseph said it was a loose-type soil and an unsuitable measure.

“The river washed it away and it’s worse than before. I am afraid they will wait ’til the bridge collapses and the road becomes inaccessible, to come and spend millions of dollars to do what?

“Nothing!”

Joseph believes that the bridge will crumble fast under any sustained use by heavy vehicles.

By his estimation: “It’s a situation where the bridge will start to fall.”

To demonstrate the force of the water, he recalled major flooding at Five Rivers Junction near the end of Baksh’s tenure, caused by a huge bamboo stool (clump of roots) washed down the river.

Joseph’s area is said to be a People’s National Movement (PNM) stronghold. There are squatters but others like him who are paying land rent describe themselves as “tenants of the State”.

The Millenholmes lands went to the State after the owner died and tenants like Joseph continued to pay rent and have official receipts as proof.

Kandahar, Five Rivers - 05

THE danger is becoming
more and more imminent
with every passing car,
the more rain falls.

Water from the river several feet below this property,
rose to flood this backyard
and reach the steps.

“I was wondering whether or not I could seek legal advice to hold the State responsible if I lose my land,” he told Mirror.

“I already lose 100 feet and the river is heading for my house. I want to know my options.

“Can I take action against the State for negligence?”

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