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Hurricane ghut & drainage clearing begins - Hon Rymer

-says VI must be prepared to minimise disaster impacts
The ghut clearing and bush cutting exercises will be conducted in all districts and will also provide an opportunity for citizens to obtain some temporary employment. Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). Photo: Facebook/File
A ghut clearing exercise in Road Town in August 2017. Photo: Facebook/File
A ghut clearing exercise in Road Town in August 2017. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – As part of preparations for the ongoing hurricane season 2019 in the Virgin Islands (VI), Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has revealed that territory-wide Ghuts and Drainage Clearing activities have commenced.

In statement at the Sixth Sitting of First Session of The Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, the Minister said the cleaning reduces the negative impact of storms and therefore, can help in recovery from events, the incidence of which, cannot be predicted or forecasted.

Expect Rains – Hon Rymer

Noting that the territory cannot say with certainty whether a hurricane will strike, he said that over the next few months rains can be expected.

The programme will be conducted in all districts and will also provide an opportunity for citizens to obtain some temporary employment.

“Mr Speaker, this work has already been started and will intensify immediately upon the end of the Festival celebrations. I am working very closely with the Minister of Finance to secure additional funding to complete this exercise,” Hon Rymer told the House.

“Also Mr Speaker the need to groom our territory from overgrown trees and bush is also being given priority in the upcoming weeks and the Minister of Finance has assured me that funding will also be made available for the bush cutting exercises.”

Providing Jobs

With Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie's (R1) assurance that funding will be available, Hon Rhymer said through the preparation activities, the hope is to reduce suffering during the inclement weather and provide opportunities to VI’s unemployed.

“The government and the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities, hope to reduce the inconvenience and loss to our residents due to the impact of inclement weather, to make the territory safer and cleaner, and – coincidentally – create some job opportunities for our people,” he said.

The minister further vowed that as the clean-up progresses, the House and citizens will be updated on all developments under his Ministry.

 

10 Responses to “Hurricane ghut & drainage clearing begins - Hon Rymer ”

  • OMG (05/08/2019, 12:29) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m so happy to see that it’s started. I was hoping it would have started from May or June but thank God better late than never.
  • Happy (05/08/2019, 12:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you mr Rymer and while you are doing that please let’s remove all the derelict vehicles off the road, both off the main roads and in the lanes and streets especially in Huntums Ghut area those are some terrible eye sores. Thanking you kindly
  • Kingfish (05/08/2019, 14:06) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is something that should be done on a regular basis not just during the hurricane season. There are instances when
    we have heavy rain fall that can cause flooding if the guths and drainage systems are not cleared. It is called Preventative Maintenance .
  • pat (05/08/2019, 14:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    No one can dispute the vip is working can’t get them move
  • @kingfish (05/08/2019, 14:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So true I agree totally
  • E. Leonard (05/08/2019, 17:34) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Though it is commendable that ghuts and drainage conveyance systems are currently cleaned for hurricane season, inspecting and cleaning them should be an “all season” activity. Ghuts and drainage systems inspection and cleaning should be put on at least on quarterly cycle. Further, immediately after a major rain event, ghuts and drainage systems should be inspected and cleaned and repaired as needed. Regularly cleaning ghuts and drainage systems facilitate positive drainage flow, preventing/minimize flooding and property damages. Public Works should either establish an in-house drainage activity or outsource the task to inspect, clean, repair........etc the systems.
    • Reply (05/08/2019, 19:14) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Something the NDP did not do for 8 long years in office
    • Diaspora (06/08/2019, 08:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Hon Rymer (D-5), MWTU, some free useable and practical advice. It is low hanging fruit; it should be standard operating procedure.
  • me again (05/08/2019, 21:00) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    And what IS going to be SAD is before the clean up is completed some NASTY person(s) will go and dump beds and or appliances in the thugs again
    Keep me posted in your village / area
    We posting pics also
  • RealPol (06/08/2019, 08:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Kingfish and E.Leonard, real talk. Preventative maintenance should be a minimum standard in managing equipment, facilities, utilities, structures..........etc.


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