Quick response to clear RT ghut following overflow & flooding

- Plans to raise bridge on Fishlock Road a high priority

Email this Article

Workers were seen busy this morning clearing the ghut on Fishlock Road which has been the cause for constant flooding in Road Town. Photo: VINO

Contractor Jay Archibald (centre) supervising the cleaning efforts this morning.

A worker clearing a part of the ghut.

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI [3:37 p.m.] – Due to heavy rains last evening, the ghut on Fishlock road overflow affecting residents in the Crab Lot and Scatliffe Alley but quick response by officials resulted in a coordinated effort to quickly clear the ghut early this morning December 10, 2011.

In an interview with Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool and 4th District Representative, he confirmed that the ghut was blocked. The Minister visited the scene last evening when the ghut was overflowing and caused flooding to various parts in Road Town.

He was accompanied by Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie Skelton and Acting Director of Public Works Department Dr. Drexel Glasgow.

Fire and Rescue officials were also on the scene last evening and came to the assistance of residents that were affected due to the flooding from the ghut overflow.

The ghut has been an eye sore for a long time and is a major cause for flooding in Road Town when it rains heavily.

Virgin Islands News Online was on the scene this morning where an excavator was clearing the ghut while workers were inside the ghut clearing the areas that the excavator could not reach. The water had subsided and the loads of debris were already disposed of including a refrigerator door and a wheel barrow which were causing blockage in the ghut.

According to contractor Jay Archibald, he was called in to clear the area at the mouth of the ghut and commenced work around 6 a.m. today Saturday December 10, 2011. He said the blockage could have been as a result of the ghut not being cleaned before the heavy rains.

The Minister told this news agency that while there will be quick response to address any situation that may arise, it was important to find a prompt solution with the raising of the bridge above the ghut a high priority.

Hon. Vanterpool said he has already requested that the Acting PWD Director Dr. Glasgow propose a plan for the bridge and once that is completed, he will be seeking to get the necessary input on it and move forward based on cost and other factors, accordingly.

Meanwhile, Minister Vanterpool disclosed that due to last night’s heavy rainfall, Dr. Glasgow has also been asked to assess the various areas that were prone to flooding including Pockwood Pond, Cane Garden Bay and Purcell.

He confirmed that the Johnson’s Ghut area did not suffer any major flooding issues from last night’s heavy rainfall.

24 Responses to “Quick response to clear RT ghut following overflow & flooding”

Jigga (10/12/2011, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
NDP all you do don't give the same contractors all the jobs. I voted for you and I'm watching closely
- qc (10/12/2011, 18:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  but you know that is just waht they will do
- WELLSA (10/12/2011, 20:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  What is your guys problem. Shut you backside down, do you know any onter contractor that would come and rescue and URGENT MATTER like this last night..........................You believe we got time waste looking into a directory..................What a grant a$$$ fool you are to post.
  - ask why (11/12/2011, 11:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Somebody seems to be up-set…and I wonder why?????? It will come out you wait
one eye roster (10/12/2011, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
THE ACTION MAN TOP THE RESCUE WHILE DOC DO LITTLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SLEEPING..CHING CHING
- billy b (11/12/2011, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  DOC DO LITTLE finally have someone to hold his hand and walk him through his duties. BIG MONEY FOR NOTHING. NDP, DO NOT COMFIRM THAT FOOL, leave him home, let him sleep. Watch it yuh see, you confirm he and just for dat, me and my clan will tek back weeee vote 2015
hog city (10/12/2011, 16:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
omar ghut working better than this one....take a design off the one sea cow's bay....thats working perfect
Virgin Gorda voter (10/12/2011, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
So you see Mark only concentrating on Road Town as the district representative and there was flooding in Purcell, Look Long and Horse Path...no one man visited and no one said a damm thing...but when Frazer was doing the same thing for his district it was a big hallo bo lue! Now Mark Vanterpool doing the same thing just looking after the 4th district and all dog and cat silent…it's going to be a long four years mey bouy
- T2DB (10/12/2011, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  In case you didn't notice, most of us in Tortola are affected when anything happens in Road Town. Most of us work, shop and must drive through Road Town every single day. That's why it's called THE CAPITAL!! If you are honest you will notice that while driving around the ENTIRE TERRITORY you would've noticed the massive clean up that finally have the place looking like it should. That's the Action Man at work!! From East to West, he's working so stop trying to start confusion! Fraser CANNOT compare to Mark, NO WAY NO HOW!! Fraser is a Liberator with internet shit, light through the roof, cable shit, cell service and expensive. Mark is the Action Man and proven!! The NDP have been elected just one month! They had to plan a trip to the UK, a very important one at that, while trying to get a handle on what's going on through out the Territory. All the while they started a massive clean up and asking people all across the Territory what their issues were. Education Minister on the move, meeting with special needs kids which the parents were so grateful to finally have someone willing to listen to them. He visited the High School here and schools on outer islands, they are moving! ONLY ONE MONTH!!! If your people were as good as you're saying then we won't have this much work to deal with. They clearly said the ghut flood because of blockage. Purcell Ghut didn't flood and it's only because there wasn't that much rain! One night of rain? LOL!! You people are so bitter, I really wonder if you love this country of ours?
  - billy b (11/12/2011, 11:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    T2DB, they bitter and full of hate. NDP supporters who hate VIP, VIP supporters who hate NDP, we all need to stop it and not get ulsers. Whan ayo there hating and backbiting, Mark, Fraser, Andrew, Christopher ect. all of the out having lunch on your dime, LMTO. They are all smiles and grins, whats alyo problem. Stop the hate and move on, just like the politicians have.
Quiet Storm (10/12/2011, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Here we go again. It seems as soon a cloud makes up Road Town and other places in the territory floods. Why? I attributes it to poor design, probably undersized/under capacity system, poor construction, or lack of maintenance. Why do we have a Director(acting) of Public Works with a doctorate in engineering and yet the dept has not developed an effective ghut maintenance and repair program. It is common knowledge in the engineering/maintenance community that earthen ditches(ghut) requires more intensive maintenance and repair than concrete-lined ditches. This maintenance demands routine periodic inspection and cleaning, pre- and post- event(projected heavy rains) inspection and maintenance/repair, as well as erosion repair. Secondly, why can't PWD design, construct, and maintain the drainage system to accommodate frequent rain events (2-year, 5-year, 10-year). We know that these rain events have a 50%, 20% and 10% chance, respectively, of occurring at any time. 50-year, 100-year or 500-year ( monster storm) are infrequent rain events that have a 2%, 1% or 0.2% of occurring in any one year; but they can occur at any time. There is a recurring theme after most of these rain events----lack of maintenance. Surely, this a low hanging fruit that we can easily pick. Moreover, we are in hurricane alley (natural disaster zone) so we should plan and be prepared for these types of events. True, we probably cannot afford to build drainage systems to facilitate the more infrequent events, i.e., 100-year. But we should be aware of them and have alternate plans to mitigate the impact of these events. All these studies are getting tiring; effective action is needed. Too many studies are, perhaps, a deliberate attempt to buy time and find excuses. This RT ghut problem is dated; do not need a study to tell what the problem is. We need to fix the problem. Come on Dr. G;represent and justify your promotion from being an actor. By the way, is not Ronnie an engineer(EE)? Why is he not the minister for MCW?
- All the Way (11/12/2011, 01:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  Quiet Storm, We have a Director (acting) and full of theatrics BECAUSE his degree is in PSYCHOLOGY! Now let the truth be told. Year after year for the last 10 PWD been heading to hell in a hand basket. He really using his psych skills to manipulate the masses. Maybe HLSCC should have awarded him an honorary doctorate in VI Psychology when he was guess speaker up there lighting candle.
  - Quiet Storm (11/12/2011, 20:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the way, you comedian; you missed your calling. Are you saying that Dr. G has a doctorate in psychology, not engineering? If true we cannot blame the Dr; he is out his element. We have to lay the blame squarely on the people that put him in this position, if what your are asserting is true. Why do we keep letting general practice perform major surgery. This is doing a disservice to the MCW and the people of the BVI. The Director of PWD should be a key adviser to the MCW on technical issues. He/she needs to be competently capably provide technical recommendations that protect and enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the public. I'm for giving Virgin Islanders first opportunity at all jobs; but they have to be ready. We cannot put them in positions to embarrassed themselves. We have to do a more effective job of training our people; this training has to involve proper and effective apprentice and mentoring. I will lay off the Dr. but the job still needs to get done.
    - Hmmmm (12/12/2011, 06:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Doctorate in traffic engineering.
      - Balanced....... (12/12/2011, 08:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thanks for the clarification. Then there are no excuses for not effectively addressing rountine civil engineering issues, including drainage issues. In some design and locales, streets are part of the drainage system. Again, Dr. represent the profession; there are lots sources and peers out there to help you out. Latch on to a seasoned veteran and pick their brains; olde veteran appreciate the opportunity to train and educate young bucks and doe. Remember, you got the theoretical knowledge;they the hands-on experience. You bucks and doe sitting at the feet of olde, seasoned, salty veterans is how the profession is practiced and improved. Join ASCE. Common show the doubters that you got the right stuff for the job and the MCW need not look further,
    - billy b (13/12/2011, 11:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Come on Quiet Storm, where is your humour??? He has a doctorate in traffic engineer. the blogger only trying to say that he trying to work physology on the government, that is why they saying he is a psychologist, lol, lol
- ice cream (11/12/2011, 03:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  ronnie lucky he backside got a ministry...delrois shold have gotten a minsitry and let myron and ronnie go tek photos and smile for the camera...
  - The Watcher (11/12/2011, 19:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have got to be kidding me. Delores is not in the same league as either Ronnie or Myron. She is not even fit to be Deputy Speaker.
- billy b (11/12/2011, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  Quiet storm, all that fool could do is sit in a fetal position in a corner, whining bout how, he can only make the proposals. It's up to the Ministry to approve his proposals (yeah, das wah we paying him big bucks to do). No drive, no spine, just an overpaid whimp. There needs to be a director in this vital position and in these hard economic times who will step out and actually earn his money.(Sickening) Mark could do a much better job on his own than disturbing that fool out of his sleep.
UP-town (10/12/2011, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
the boyz on the block eating again so me hope when Mr. Mark cannot give them work they do not turn on him like they did to Vincent and the VIP!!!!! lol
- facts man (11/12/2011, 12:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  for real they will turn on the NDP soon not to worry the day they cannot get what they want!!! BAM
  - Whatever (11/12/2011, 13:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And what is your problem? The entire BVI turned their backs on the NDP 4 years and months ago, (seems like you have short memory)! Get a life!
- the rock (11/12/2011, 22:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  the boys on the block are all action men..vincent did not recognise that..check how aggresive there are..they have a dynasty set up operation..and now they have the ACTION MAN BACK AS THEY LEADER..BAM==BAM==BAM!
weed (10/12/2011, 18:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
good to see Mark on the job come rain or sunshine

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.

Quick response to clear RT ghut following overflow & flooding

24 Responses to “Quick response to clear RT ghut following overflow & flooding”

Create a comment

Create a comment

Follow Us On