MINISTER of Public Works Mr. Robeson Benn yesterday announced measures that would be taken to prevent damage from any recurrence of recent overtopping along sea and river defences. He briefed the media, along with Mr. Jeffrey Vaughn, Mr. Ron Rahaman and Mr. Sunil Ganesh, from the Works Services Group within his ministry, about the situation in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), as well.
Benn explained that there were emergencies at Hampton Court, on the Essequibo Coast (where a sluice was destroyed); Uitvlugt, Den Amstel, Cornelia Ida and Hague on West Coast Demerara, and in Greater Georgetown, between Vlissengen Road and Liliendaal.
He indicated that on the West Coast, residents suffered after their fences were on the facade drain and blocked the water flow to other drains.
Benn said the obstructions would be demolished in order to have the drainage cleared for expected overtoppings.
The spring tide, which lasted for a week, was at its highest on Friday and Saturday, with water reaching 3.18 metres on the chart datum and unusual activity on Sunday, he reported.
The minister said damage were minimal as there was no major destruction to property and, with just one area on which to concentrate, the ministry’s resources at hand, managed to date.

Created movement
He said the three kilometres stretch that is presently under erosion has created movement and seen seashells being washed, in tons, unto the Rupert Craig Highway in the Russian Embassy vicinity.
Yesterday morning, when the Guyana Chronicle visited the area for a visual update, workers were clearing conduits to allow for the escape of excess water and small excavator machines were loading trucks with the shells removed from blocking the roadway.
The minister said action to have the erosion area rehabilitated and a public awareness campaign targeting residents under threat would cost close to $1.5 billion and there is no way to guarantee the locations would remain in that state forever.
He noted that the ministry has rangers and, in other areas, residents are kept informed by notices and flyers about upcoming spring tides.
Benn stated, though, that there is no serious health risk in the rising water and neither is there need to panic or alarm, as officials would continue to watch and update the media over the next 24 hours.