While activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh continues his hunger strike, Debe residents are supporting minor adjustments being made to the controversial Debe to Mon Desir section of the Point Fortin Highway. Construction continued apace yesterday and some residents said even though they were bracing for impending floods and had great respect for Kublalsingh, they did not want the highway to stop.
Jenny Boodoo, the owner of Jenny’s Mini Mart and Vegetable Supplies, said she was thankful that the Lord Shiva Mandir at Debe Trace will be saved. The temple, a landmark in the area, was earmarked for demolition but after consultation it was agreed that the highway would pass behind the site. She felt the highway would bring economic rewards for many people.
Saying she was sympathetic to Kublalsingh, Boodoo said engaging in a hunger strike was not the best option. “What did he achieve before? Nothing, so I don’t think a second hunger strike will stop the highway,” she said. Contractors were seen erecting a wall around the popular mandir, which is perched on the edge of the Oropouche river. Scores of jhandis (Hindu flags) stood undisturbed by the highway, which is cutting across several water channels in the Oropouche Basin.
Nazamud Sahadath, of Pundit Trace said since the construction started, Debe had experienced the worst flooding in history. “We are calling on Government to build a box drain at Sahadath Avenue and this will take away the water flow. Last month we had three feet of water under the houses,” Sahadath said. He added that flood victims at Wellington Road got compensation relief but residents of Pundit Trace were still waiting.
Along Soomai and Rahamut Traces, rivers and drains were blocked and overgrown with weeds and fallen cables hung from leaning wooden poles. The shells of partially demolished houses could be seen at Gandhi Village. Shaffi John, of Ramai Trace, said the highway was needed because of the development that was taking place in the southern regions. “We have the university campus and the hospital coming, so we need the highway,” John said.
Navin Ragbir, of Gandhi Village, said the highway would open up access to distant areas of the south. “I have my own transport company and every day I am on the road. Is real traffic to get out and in, so I for sure want the highway,” Ragbir said, adding that the re-route activists should not try to stop the highway.
Wayne responds
Contacted yesterday, Kublalsingh said he did not know adjustments had been made to the Debe to Mon Desir segment, and to his knowledge, the Lord Shiva Mandi was earmarked for destruction. “If they are saving the mandril, that is good news,” he said. But he said that would not mean an end to his hunger strike.
“My issue is there are large risks involved with this project. It would mean extensive flooding; volumes of aggregate will be used from the Northern Range; we will have the destruction of 300 homes—25 houses have already been broken down,” Kublalsingh said. A senior manager at the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) said yesterday the highway will continue despite Kublalsingh’s hunger strike.