By Naomi Marshall

AFTER years of battling with flood waters, residents of First, Second and Third Alleys in Wismar, Linden can now stop worrying about when the next flood will happen.

The Government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has awarded a multimillion dollar contract to M.K. Hoosein Contracting Company for the construction of a new culvert in the vicinity of Burnham Drive and Water Lily Street at Wismar. This infrastructural project is expected to alleviate flooding in First, Second and Third Alleys, and neighbouring communities.

When Guyana Chronicle visited the area late Friday afternoon, work was in full progress.

Marlon Rockcliff, the foreman attached to Hoosein Contracting Company, told this newspaper that the project commenced last Wednesday and is expected to be completed within the next six weeks.

Rockcliff explained that whenever it rains heavily or there is high tide, communities in the area, in the past, were inundated with water because the culvert was malfunctioning.

He further explained that the underground tubes of the culvert were damaged, causing water to seep out and under them. “The problem was that the tubes were damaged, it wasn’t functioning properly. When the water gets in it use to seep under,” said Rockcliff.

According to him, the new culvert is being built in such a way to prevent damages and seepages. “They didn’t have a concrete base there, so we are putting a concrete base there before we put the rubber tube back in,” the foreman explained, while adding that the culvert will also be built with a self-closing gate to the front that would release water off the land when necessary, and close whenever there is high tide to prevent flooding.

Linden’s Mayor, Carwyn Holland, said that he is elated to see the project finally becoming a reality.

“In recent months the people of Wismar were under water as a result of this culvert, which has been defective for some time. This is a problem that should have been solved several years now, I’m just happy that finally its being done,” Holland told this newspaper. During the rainy season and during high tides, residents, he pointed out were significantly affected by flood waters.

“What we know is that the water was coming in whenever there was high tide without any thing stopping it from coming in on the land. So the longer the water remains high, it comes in and it flooded all the alleys, that was the main problem so they needed a proper culvert right here that would allow the water to go out but prevent it from coming in,” he posited.

Cloreen Craig, whose Lot 11 Second Alley house has been constantly flooded, welcomed the project. “There were days I could not [have] gotten off of my bed because the water was so high, and don’t let me talk about the damages done, but I must say that I am very, very pleased that the culvert is being fixed after so many years,” she said.

Though the contracting company is from De Hoop Mahaica, Hoosein told Guyana Chronicle that Lindeners are being employed. At the time of the visit, there were two construction workers assisting in the construction of the foundation of the culvert. According to the foreman, more Lindeners will be employed as the project progresses.