Member of Parliament for the Colihaut Constituency, Catherine Daniel, has expressed delight that dredging works have started on the Colihaut River.
The community was severely affected by the river during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017.
“The Dominica Strong people are there dredging the river and I think that has caused much relief to the people, especially the elderly who couldn’t sleep everytime rain falls,” she said.
Daniel stated that residents were asking for a wall but according to her, “a wall, you know, doesn’t come so quickly.”
“And so with the dredging of these rivers, at least it gives a level of calmness, it gives a level peace and I must say God is working in this constituency,” she stated.
Earlier this year the government announced that several rivers in the country will be dredged since they pose a threat to lives and property, especially during inclement weather.
Heh, this may not be too nice, unless they dredge it all the way up to the source; which is impossible.
While it’s impossible to relocate everyone, this should be part of the long term planning process for the village. Start excavating and as the good book says, “Build your house on the rock and not near the river.”
I hope Coulibistre will be next, because it is next door Colihuat.
What about the Coulibistrie river? That one is in urgent need of being dredged.
Rain does not Fall…. it rains!
we have to give the government credit for trying to control floods
We need river walls
As we prepare for the 13th. Anniversary of “WORLD RIVERS DAY’ carded for the Last Sunday in September (30) . We can say that the Mutilal Rai & Son Company from Trinidad & Tobago, which is contracted by the Government of Dominica began the dredging in the same Roseau River. Their work continues in Checkhall, Loubiere, Belfast, Colihaut. among other Communities.
A number of concerned Citizens are hoping that the habitat of the Rivers will be restored to protect the aquatic life. Discussion is even taking place at the moment to reintroduce some of the animals which were displace by Hurricane Maria on 18 September, 2017.
What happen, the people wanted to build in the river?
It’s great that they have started but the critical thing is to ensure that they continue and that they continue to monitor/maintain a safe level as time goes on. Note that Ms. Daniels response to a wall is that it doesn’t come so quickly. Quite frankly, after Erika what efforts were made to safeguard from future damage? Instead, when Maria came Colihaut was left with 4 feet high river bed material right along the church which is most likely the old path of the river. Colihaut river was diverted in the old days but when we have these storms, the river wants to go in the path of least resistance (straight down the church road) which then leaves a significant amount of houses in the path of destruction. Ms. Daniels, it is advisable to keep working on fortifying the current wall, build new sections & keep dredging. Get the community involved as there are enough young, strapping hands & abled bodies that can help do this work in Colihaut. Start by hiring the locals and get it…
hmm less than two months away is hurricane season hmmm