A team of officials from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) led by Shadow Minister of Public Works Joseph Harmon, MP, today visited Mosquito Hall, Unity, Mahaica (Demerara-Mahaica Region). A release from APNU said the team was there at the request of concerned residents, to inspect the crumbling sea defences in the area. In recent days Stabroek News has reported on two separate sea defence problems in the area.
After viewing the gaping holes and the crumbling sea wall, Harmon said that what he had witnessed was the result of systemic neglect, and a lack of a structured plan to deal with the nation’s sea and river defences. He said that because of this neglect the lives of the residents of Mosquito Hall was now in jeopardy and person most of whom are fisher-folk are now threatened by the very sea from which they earn their living.
According to the release, Harmon said that in his 2013 Budget presentation he had warned that the $1.9 Billion allocated for sea and river defences and the $143, 392,000 to deal with critical works was not enough.
APNU calls on the PPP/C Administration to act now so as to avert a catastrophic event. The nation’s sea and river defences are all in need of urgent attention, the release said.
This APNU photo shows Harmon at left inspecting the gaping holes in the wall.
