Estuary on edge

Western Bureau:

With the 2026 hurricane season just months away, some residents of Phase Two of the Estuary Housing Scheme, in St James, are worried about the slow pace of the rehabilitation work on a section of their community, which caved in during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The residents fear they could be left exposed to even greater danger.

The land collapse destroyed a section of the roadway and left several homes precariously perched near the edge of a deep pit which has been created, and which they say is being further impacted by the excavation work being done to address the problem.

“A work team engaged by the National Housing Trust (NHT) is here working with excavators to address the situation, but they are going at a snail’s pace, and other sections are caving in as they work,” a resident, who asked not to be identified, told The Gleaner earlier this week.

When The Gleaner visited the location, an excavator was seen working in the caved-in section of the land, which was right up against several houses and appeared to be some 50 to 60 yards deep,

“Unless the sunken area is properly dumped and reinforced, any further weather system could see us losing our homes,” the resident continued. “Work is ongoing, but it is too slow and we fear it won’t be completed before the next hurricane season.”

To compound their concern, another resident, a teacher, is claiming that because of the excavation, more of the surrounding lands are caving in, bringing the land collapse closer to their homes.

“As a direct consequence of these works, I have lost my garbage skip and driveway, while several neighbouring residents have suffered the loss of their front walls and driveways,” she told The Gleaner. “The structural integrity of the roadway and surrounding properties has been critically undermined.”

When The Gleaner spoke to the excavator operator, he said workmen are now awaiting further instructions from the NHT engineers, who are integral to the project.

NO RESPONSE

The Gleaner also reached out to the NHT, through Dwayne Berbick, assistant general manager for communication and public affairs, who on Wednesday promised to contact his superiors and provide an answer the next day. Despite further contacts, a response to the queries was not provided.

“We were previously informed that this project was scheduled for completion by the end of January. However, based on the current condition of the site, there is no visible indication that the project is nearing completion,” the teacher added.

“The present state of the roadway poses a serious and immediate threat to public safety.”

When councillor Uvel Graham, who represents Estuary in the St James Municipal Corporation, was contacted, he said he was quite aware of the residents’ concerns, but that, based on his interactions with the contractor, he has been given an assurance that the work will be completed by the end of February.

“I understand the concerns of the residents and I as their councillor, I stand with them. I am going to be staying in close contact with the contractor to ensure that this project is completed way ahead of the next hurricane season,” he said.

As it relates to the complaint that the ongoing excavation work is causing other sections of the surrounding lands to cave in, Graham, who is involved in the construction industry, said there is nothing to fear.

“The contractor has to go down to a depth where future rains will not impact the area that is now being rehabilitated. As a person who is involved in the construction sector, I understand what is being done, and I am confident it can be completed by the end of February,” said Graham.

editorial@gleanerjm.com