Even as a multi-agency clean-up approach is underway to address the recent gas eruption that followed an unauthorised drilling by a resident of the Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, the Diamond/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is calling for a full investigation into the incident.
Concomitantly, the NDC has commended the neighbours of Businessman Soownauth ‘Water Man’ Gorakh and his wife Tulabhaduree Gorakh after they had suffered displacement from last Thursday’s eruption.
Agencies such as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC), United States-based oil giant ExxonMobil, as well as Massy Gas Products are involved in the cleanup and assessment.
NDC Chairman Bharrat Narine has stressed that he would not want to comment on the matter publicly, as an investigation would have to be done before any formal statement is made. He, however, disclosed that several “kind-hearted neighbours” provided food, clothing and shelter to the businessman and his family.
According to a Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) release, Gorakh, who expressed “unreserved remorse and sadness over the incident,” has said that he and his wife sought to build the reservoir after they were experiencing “unstable water distribution” in Diamond.
“There are times when the water would go for three, four days, and we thought that it would be easier for us to build a reservoir so that we can have water more consistently,” the businessman was quoted as saying.
Gorakh rejected claims that he is a wealthy businessman and that he is refusing to meet the other affected residents. “I met with the residents, because it is the very neighbours who have been affected (who) took me in with my wife and three children…I am affected myself, losing almost everything; and based on the advice from CDC and other persons on the ground, the house is completely damaged, owing to the fact that the slush and gas would have destroyed everything,” he related.
It has been contended that the drilling of the well at Fourth and Sixth Avenue, Diamond was illegal. The drilling resulted in an eruption of mud, water and methane gas, and damage to several homes in the area. The well was dug in the family’s backyard, but they had not sought the appropriate permission.
The Civil Defence Commission has explained that permission must first be obtained from the Hydrometeorological Office to conduct such drillings.
“If you are drilling wells, you must receive permits from (the) Hydro-meteorological Office, because you can have situations like this that threaten your life, your neighbours’ lives, and other people around you,” acting Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig has said.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently commenced the clean-up exercise at the Gorakhs’ residence, and this will give access to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) teams, who will be working to recap the well.
Lieutenant Latchman Persaud of the National Emergency Operations System, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), has said that recapping works can commence on Monday, and it could last for up to three weeks.
