To draft Plan of Action to Address Flood Prone Areas throughout Country
Minister Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Minister Hon. Maurice Lake on Monday surveyed several flooded areas caused by a downpour of rain that lasted at times for several hours.
The Ministry of VROMI have been busy doing a survey of flooded areas in order to address these matters which includes Philipsburg, surrounding neighborhoods and other districts throughout the country.
On Monday the pumping stations around the Great Salt Pond were switched on to bring down water levels in both ponds including the Fresh Water Pond in order to ensure there would be no flooding of Philipsburg or surrounding districts due to the run-off from Monday’s downpour.
"I wanted to observe for myself what the Monday downpour was doing to our streets, roads and water management systems. Millions over the years have been invested in water management systems that would divert and steer the rainwater into the ponds and then the water in the ponds would be pumped into the Great Bay.
"From my observations, we are not there yet. We do not have a complete system in place, and additional investments will have to be made. We need to have better drainage system in place and an improved maintenance plan for the different districts.
"Some of the areas that were flooded were in the vicinity of GEBE, UTS and the Emmaplein in the vicinity of Jump Up Casino. I called in the Fire Department to assist with this area since they have mobile pumps.
"There were also other challenges in various districts such as blocked drains. I will be sitting down with my staff from my Ministry to discuss a plan of action that would be executed in phases, firstly dealing with flood prone areas," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Monday.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake during a brief break in Monday’s downpour was at the Fresh Water Pond, one of several stops during his first-hand observations of flood prone and flooded areas throughout the country. Photo DCOMM