Contract realized for flood protection study for vulnerable communities
Thursday, September 19, 2019
by DVRP
DENNERY, SOUFRIERE, AND FOND ST JACQUES ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO FLASH FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES.

The Government of Saint Lucia, through the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) signed a contract on Sep. 9, with Alpha Engineering and Construction Ltd. to undertake “a comprehensive assessment of a hydrologic and hydraulic conditions of the Dennery Village and Soufriere, including Fond St Jacques.”

The three communities in question, which were severely impacted after Hurricane Tomas in 2010, and the Christmas Eve Trough of 2013, are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and landslides, which have led, among other things to alteration and heavy sedimentation of water courses, consequently threatening sections of major roads, residences, bridges, utilities, schools, and farm-lands.

Speaking at the contract-signing ceremony, attended by key experts of the consulting firm, staff of the Department of Infrastructure and the Project Coordination Unit, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Energy, Ivor Daniel, noted the timeliness of the consultancy in light of recent storms which have wreaked havoc on sister Caribbean territories.

Team Leader of Alpha Engineering and Construction Ltd. Fazir Khan, said the Trinidad-based company—which has ensured that 50 percent of its key experts are Saint Lucians—has an unrivaled range of competent specialists, specializing in environmental assessment and geotechnical surveys. Khan said the company is keen to provide a climate-resilient solution to ensure that residents of the communities realize the fullest benefits of the financial investment.

The Comprehensive Assessment of the Hydrologic and Hydraulic conditions of Dennery Village and Soufriere, including Fond St Jacques, complements ongoing islandwide slope stabilization and drainage works, as the Government of Saint Lucia, through the DVRP, seeks to increase the country’s resilience to weather-related disasters.

The consultancy, which kicks off on Sep. 16, is expected to culminate by February, 2020. The Department of Infrastructure will provide technical oversight throughout the duration of the consultancy.