Have we flooded ourselves?

So many of the coverage and observation surrounding the recent flooding of the northern coast of Hairouna have focused on the survival, recovery and rebuilding efforts. Words of sympathy have been outpouring and we have seen our politicians among the people, giving a needed sense of reassurance in what was clearly a devastating experience for many. Even though I had little respect for the declaration of the PM that the damage would be tens of millions. Lack of respect because of similar declarations after Tomas and we are yet to get an outline as to the funds received and the funds put out in the recovery effort, especially with the ensuing election period.

Kudos to my fellow blogger Abeni in her post, always aiming for the positive outlook - http://hairoun.blogspot.com/2011/04/dry-season.html.

Congrats to BRAGSA who were on the roads soon after six a.m. - clearing the slides allowing some movement of citizens and officials to assess the damage. This I say in light of the fact that this entity was created with an aura of suspicion and corruption in the public perception.

But as always, I dare to look beyond the picture handed to us - how much of this damage has been caused by our own actions or lack of action?

Looking at much of the video and still photo coverage shows an overwhelming amount of trees and organic debris - much of which would have been left in our rivers, streams and tributaries after Tomas. We have had five clear months to do what we could but I wonder if the cleanup was holistic? Were the rivers and other water passages a focus point for the relevant authorities? I certainly never thought of it but in light of what I have seen - maybe it is one of the focus points that someone should bring to light.

Like many Vincentians, I am convinced that many of the funding for the Tomas recovery somehow merged its with campaign strategy (like the three homes that started building in my neighbourhood shortly before the election with material delivered with G-plated vehicles - did I mention that the two people who got their homes damaged, broken windows one and one raised corner of galvanize never got help).

It would be unfortunate if the focus of winning power somehow played a role in diverting fund from the places that needed it - like our rivers.

Additionally, I am exhausted seeing the limited way that our people function when it comes to construction of homes, business places etc. Despite the existence of the Building Code, there are numerous people still building on the river banks and other precarious places that are susceptible to untold risk. Not only should we seek to prevent construction in the bay and river bank areas but we should seek to relocate persons from their residences that are close to the roads. Every year, someone's home is flooded simply because of their location in the mouth of a river....whyyyyyy???

So is the Government going to rebuild these homes in their previous location - it would be interesting to see if that happens.