LEGUAN residents are calling for the alleged use of substandard materials for sea defence work at Blenheim and Maryville to be fully investigated.The contractor was reportedly expected to supply clay for heightening of the sea dams, but opted instead to excavate trenches and use whatever was dug out. The ‘trench soil’ is often mixed with paddy, weeds and garbage, a source told the Chronicle on Sunday.

Satrohan Maraj was awarded the contracts for these Leguan locations.

Regional and Government Councillor, Kamal Roy Narine had said that the poor quality work done on sea defence projects at Leguan years ago is appalling, and now the new Government is tasked with executing additional and corrective works.

There were four major projects being carried out on the sea defence to protect the foreshore at La Bagatelle, Endeavour, Maryville and Cane Garden. According to Narine, the island needs groynes, which are man-made structures designed to trap sand as it is moved down the beach by the longshore drift. As the longshore drift current approaches the groyne, it is forced to slow down and change direction.

He explained that the improper placement of boulders (often improperly sized) also causes a distortion and sagging of the sea defences, especially when the sand washes out.

The councillor further said that if the sea defence is done properly, there would be no flooding; and roads, bridges and other infrastructural work can be done.

Suggesting that engineering audits be conducted on all sea defence works done so as to identify the problems and take corrective action, Narine noted that these projects cost hundreds of millions of dollars and are a severe burden to the taxpayer when poor work is done.

Last year, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, through its Sea and River Defence Division (SRDD), strengthened the sea and river defence within the country’s geographically defined sea defence districts.

Work Services Group Coordinator, Geoffrey Vaughn, had noted that activities in 2015 included advancing sea defence construction (new construction/reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance work).

There was also procurement of equipment and materials for the execution of routine maintenance and emergency works (by the WSG Force Account Unit), monitoring and research activities, and public awareness and community evaluation, Vaughn said.