Survey work on drains already started

If he had only stopped for a few minutes to read my response to his article on drainage, however, he would have noticed that I stated quite clearly that a comprehensive drainage programme was scheduled to commence within the next few weeks.

Through the medium of your paper, therefore, I wish to advise that final survey work, which is an essential prerequisite to desilting and drain clearing is already underway, and the contractors are expected to mobilise their equipment shortly.

The initial programme of work includes the clearing and desilting of main drains and watercourses in the following areas, to be followed by several other areas: Beetham Estate drains, Sangre Chiquito river, Erin river, Arima river, Tarouba river, Guaico river, Coronala river, North Oropouche river, Cunapo river, St Ann’s river mouth, Cunupia river, Diego Martin river mouth, Maraval river mouth, Cuche river, La Cuesa river, South Oropouche river, Bull Bull river, Alley’s Creek, Guayamere river, among many others. To date 19 major desilting and drain clearing contracts totalling $27 million have been awarded for fiscal 2006, using the proper procedures, and this programme of drainage work will be ongoing.

COLM IMBERT

Minister of Works