Scores of residents from Millet and its environs flocked the Millet Infant School on Jan. 14, to obtain first-hand information on the status of works on the rehabilitation of the Millet Water Intake.

In keeping with the mandate of the Government of Saint Lucia to involve residents of communities at all stages of project implementation, under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP), yet another call was made for Millet residents to engage with government officials, and local representatives of the consulting firm, Burnside International. Eager to ensure that their interests take precedence, residents’ queries about the nature of the project and its impact on the surrounding communities were unreserved.

Strategic Planning Manager with the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), Peter Norville, explained that the objective of the project is to “re-establish the Millet Water Intake as the primary source of raw water, with the John Compton Dam providing a secondary source to meet the shortfall.” This, he said, will build adequate redundancy into the system which is critical for reducing the risk to disasters.

Local Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist representing the consultancy firm, assured residents that anyone whose property was compromised or utilised during project implementation will be duly compensated.

The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist employed with the Project Coordinating Unit, in the Department of Economic Development, provided contact details that residents can use to allow for speedy redress or clarification on any matters pertaining to the project.

Residents were assured that during the project implementation phase—which is expected to last approximately nine months—the water supply will not be compromised.