The catchment area will be covered shortly. Photo: VINO

Hon. Vanterpool.

“Ben’s Welding is working on them right now. The materials for the frames were imported from Puerto Rico, and in another week’s time I think they will be finished for installation,” Hon Vanterpool added.

The move is part of the Ministry’s plan to rectify ways to ensure the smooth transition of the “ever controversial” project that begun under the former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and 6th district representative Omar Hodge.

The Johnson/Purcell Ghut Development Project was implemented to improve drainage, prevent flooding and ease traffic congestion in the Johnson’s Ghut and Purcell Estate areas. Works on the project has been continuing in various phases since its inception in 2008.

Since Hon. Vanterpool has been in office, he has stopped the project with the view to determine the best, cost effective and safest ways to complete the project.

During a December 2011 House of Assembly (HOA) sitting, the Works Minister had admitted that while it may be difficult at “this stage to reverse some of the executed works due to a number of challenges”, the Public Works Department (PWD) has put forward recommendations to mitigate the impacts of flooding in the Johnson’s Ghut watershed.

This includes the installation of proper drainage solutions in critical areas; the alteration of entrance and exit slopes of the existing sediment traps in the paved drainage channel and the construction of check dams along strategic locations.