Dear Editor,
With reference to your article, ‘Demerara River pounds Meadowbank to Little Diamond,’ dated August 12, highlighting a breach in the sea dam at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, the Sea Defence Division responds hereunder.
1. The Division writes to refute the article stated on the front page of your newspaper which reads, “A girl watches as water flows through a breach in the sea defence at Sea Dam in the Herstelling area.” There is no breach on the sea dam at Herstelling, however the embankment at certain areas is low which is due to the activities of the squatters, and it needs to be raised.
The Division has found it very difficult to execute works on the embankment since there are approximately 30 squatter houses on the embankment. This has hampered any execution of works; the area is totally impassable for any machine to execute works.
2. Further visits made by officials of the division verified this. We therefore refute the content of your article which specifically refers to a breach in sea dam and question the source.
It is the Division’s intention to address all critical areas along coastal and riverain areas in a timely fashion, but would appreciate the cooperation of the media when reporting such matters.
Yours faithfully,
Geoffrey Vaughn
Chief Sea and River Defence Officer
Ministry of Public Works and
Communications
