Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Energy Shawn Edward is urging Saint Lucians to take greater responsibility for their surroundings and help reduce flooding by disposing of garbage properly and keeping drains clear.
Edward made the call against the backdrop of heavy rainfall between Sunday, October 4 and Tuesday, October 6, which flooded parts of the country, including Bexon in Castries South East.
He said a team was deployed to areas affected by flooding to conduct a preliminary assessment of possible damage.
“But so far, nothing significant has been reported. But from what I saw yesterday first-hand is that some of the flooding that resulted yesterday had more to do with the indiscriminate dumping of garbage,” Edward said at the pre-Cabinet press briefing.
“Solid waste, appliances, just name it, into the waterways, and once we continue to resort to such practices, the situation would be a lot worse than it ought to be when we have rainfall.”
Edward urged Saint Lucians to dispose of household and bulk waste responsibly, noting that the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority has scheduled collection days for every community.
“In addition to household waste collection, there’s also a day designated every month for bulk waste, and if we can just observe those and work with the Authority. I think we would go a long way in minimising some of the floods we see happening in our backyards,” he explained.
Edward also called on residents to take responsibility for their own surroundings.
“If there’s a drain in the immediate vicinity of your house that is clogged, nothing prevents you from taking a spade, a shovel, or any implement at your disposal to just unclog the drain. I really abhor the practice where people can do those things, but instead they prefer coming to the office of parliamentary representatives to report it, hoping that they will get a contract to do it themselves and to make some money,” Edward said.
He acknowledged that there are circumstances in which the Ministry of Infrastructure must employ people to carry out drainage work, but said some interventions do not require government contracts.
“When the Ministry of Infrastructure must employ people to do the work, we will do so, but we are saying that there are some interventions that are needed at certain levels, that do not necessitate the Ministry issuing contracts,” he said. “Instead, we call on people to take responsibility for their immediate surroundings and to unclog the small drains and things of that sort…. By so doing, you are making a small contribution to your own well-being, your safety and that of the community you happen to be a part of.”
