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The following letter dispatched to Minister of Drainage Denis Lowe – AldenBlackman_Lowe

 

05/08/2015

Dr. the Hon. Denis Lowe, M.P.[…]
Minister of Environment and Drainage
Hincks Street
Bridgetown

Dear Minister Lowe

This letter is a plea from a citizen of Barbados for you to use the weight of your office to correct a dangerous situation in Clarkes Rd. Derricks, St. James where I reside.

The situation was callously and deliberately created by a wealthy foreign neighbour who positioned boulders in the middle and along an active watercourse which adjoins by boundary line, and to make the matter worse, backfilled the area to extend her yard and garden circa 2002-2003. By obstructing the natural watercourse it has caused some flooding in the area and damage to my home. With the passage of time the yard cum garden has morphed into a public thoroughfare and has served to accentuate the potential threat to the area.

Sir, the following are the names of government officials and departments I have interacted (pleaded) about this matter since circa 2002-2003, yet the dangerous situation remains:-

Drainage Unit Ministry of Transport and Works

Permanent Secretary Mr. Weekes Mr. Thornhill
Director Mr. Barrow Mr. Tudor
Mr. Dawe Mr. Patrick
Mr. Yearwood Mr. Lovell
Mr. Inniss Mr. Hurley
Mr.Morris

All of the above persons have in one form or the other ignored my pleas for redress of the threat posed by an obstructed watercourse which parallels my property over the years.

Minister Lowe, must Alden Blackman who lives below this watercourse for the past 34 years have to endure such wanton disregard of the law? The result which has created a dangerous situation which threatens the wellbeing of not only my family but the neighbouring homes as well? Why has the Drainage Unit under your charge and MTW officials ignored the plight of a poor black working class man? Why has the illegal action taken by a wealthy foreign woman been given priority over a born and bred Bajan?

Sir with respect, I am requesting your urgent attention to this dangerous development. I fear a re-enactment of the Carew Weston tragedy.

Best regards
Alden Blackman