Kingston koker gets ‘temporary fix’ as floodwaters recede

Contractors have constructed a temporary fix of “stop logs” at the Kingston koker to stop the flow of water until the koker door is operational again. The door will be fixed according to the required standards, since engineers are of the opinion that the design was inappropriate and the door was not correctly operated, Works Minister Robeson Benn told reporters while at the site.

The collapse of the koker came as a surprise, Minister Benn said, since potential problems were identified at another koker north of Kingston and one at River’s View, Ruimveldt. He said the repairs depend on materials and other resources City Hall will procure.
Angry residents
In a visit to the Kingston community on Wednesday, residents were seen cleaning their homes and moving out furniture and other household appliances that were damaged by flood waters.
Angry residents lashed out at the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown for negligence leading to the koker door’s failure and subsequent flooding which left many homes in chaos, and forced many families to seek refuge elsewhere.
“People are under severe flooding and we have lost a lot and our household items have been damaged and nobody is saying anything to us,” one woman said.
A male resident said his house was filled with water approximately three feet deep.
“We had three feet of water in this house and I think they should come in and take a look at what went on and how much we have suffered… whoever is responsible for the koker should have been there, monitoring it,” he lamented.
Other residents echoed his sentiments.
One business owner who spoke with Guyana Times International said that he has not been able to estimate his losses, but the situation is a major setback for his business.
Authorities need to be more proactive
He pointed out that Tuesday’s flooding was not the first instance of such and called on the authorities to be more proactive in this regard.
Garbage and mud were seen in the homes of persons who were affected by the flood.
Residents said they will not accept any excuses for losses they incurred, since it is the third such flood in that particular area in recent times.
Persons have complained that they were never compensated for previous damage caused by flooding and they did not expect anything.
Vendors from Stabroek Market who also spoke with this publication said it was a frustrating situation and they would like the authorities to be more serious about these issues. They believe that people’s best interests are being shunned and more needs to be done by the relevant authorities.
One vendor said Tuesday’s incident was a major setback for his business, since customers refused to come into the flooded market to make any purchases, and as a result, he was forced to close his stall.
President Donald Ramotar, who was present at the scene Tuesday, assured citizens that emergency steps are being taken to curb the situation and works will be carried out to ensure that the koker is properly fixed.
Acting town Clerk Carol Sooba said the council had already earmarked several other sluices and kokers around the city for repairs, but priority was given to those that seemed to be more vulnerable.