East Bank flood victims to write to president over compensation

The rebuilding of the door of the Peter’s Hall koker is still to be completed and residents who had been flooded remain frustrated as they continue to press for compensation for their losses.

Residents of Nandy Park, Peter’s Hall and Providence, who were affected when the koker door gave way during a spring tide earlier in the month, on Friday met again to discuss what other steps they should take as they continue to press the government for compensation.

The top flat of the Peter’s Hall Primary School was filled with frustrated residents after the waited patiently for the arrival of Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker, who was a no-show.

A section of the gathering at the Peter’s Hall Primary on Friday.
A section of the gathering at the Peter’s Hall Primary on Friday.

Resident Malcom Davis stated that in the last meeting with the minister they were told that they would receive a feedback on Friday, but there was no government official present at the meeting on Friday.

Maria Bailey, who sat at the head table, told this newspaper yesterday that so far they’ve been doing things the right way. The only thing left to do, she said, is for residents to write letters directly to President Donald Ramotar.

She also said that these letters will be written and signed by the every man, woman and child that was affected by the flood, then the letters would be sent to the Office of the President.

Residents also said that if demands are not met, they would then take to the streets to protest.

Meanwhile, over two weeks after the smashing of the koker’s door, which resulted in the flooding of these villages, construction remained ongoing.

The koker door, which was supposed to be completed last Sunday, was delayed due to additional works to reinforce the structure. When Stabroek News visited the koker on Friday, the door was down but there were leakages along the edges of the door.