More than four decades after his death, landslides are destroying the final resting place of T&T’s legendary Orisha King Samuel Ebenezer Elliot, popularly known as Papa Niza, at the Mount Pleasant London Baptist cemetery in Moruga. It is one of 255 landslips currently affecting the district which is known as the “landslip capital” of the country.
Ironically, the cemetery is in the constituency of Clifton De Coteau, Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration. It was under De Coteau’s directive that the National Trust of T&T declared Papa Niza’s grave a national monument.
When the Sunday Guardian visited the cemetery on Saturday, asphalt and mud from the caved-in road were piled on top of tombstones. The nearby Mount Pleasant Spiritual Baptist Church where Papa Niza worshipped is also in danger of collapse. A new structure is being constructed but parishioners say a wall has to be built to prevent further land slippage.
Resident Thelma Ayres described the situation as a national disgrace: “I don’t know what De Coteau is doing. All of the cemetery is going down. The dead cannot rest in peace. People cannot bury their dead in this cemetery anymore. They have to go to the other one on top of the hill, but there is no space there.” Ayres said when Jack Warner was minister of works, attempts were made to fix the landslips but since his departure nothing has been done.
David Richardson, who lives opposite the cemetery, said his house is in danger of collapse. “My whole fence is falling down. We made reports about this but the Government is not doing anything about it. I went to De Coteau’s constituency several times. Water is constantly flowing and that is what is causing the land to cave away,” he said, adding that three more houses were cracking because of the slippage.
Further along the Moruga Main Road, there is another landslip close to the Fifth Company Baptist School. “They are not doing enough in Moruga. It is as if we don’t exist. The minister does not care about us. He neglects Indian Walk, but he takes care of those in Moruga,” Marcus Alleyne said. At Looney Trace, Marlon Ransom complained that five houses were in danger of collapse. He said his brother’s house has started leaning.
“The entire road is cut off by a landslip but nobody is taking us on. De Coteau was supposed to represent us but we do not know what he is doing. They are taking too long to fix the landslip.” However, other residents said De Coteau built two schools, fixed dozens of agricultural access roads, installed lights at recreation grounds and fixed main roads.
Bal Dookie said, “De Coteau has challenges because of the number of landslips. All cannot be fixed at the same time. “He is always there for his constituents. He is trying to fix sporting facilities but there are little hiccups here and there.”
De Coteau responds
Contacted on his cellphone, De Coteau said never before were so many landslips being repaired in Moruga at the same time. “I have stopped worrying about the landslips. There are just too many landslips to fix and we are trying our best.” He said the landslip at the cemetery was problematic because it was difficult not to disturb the graves: “To fix that landslip by the cemetery would take a large chunk of the budget.”
De Coteau said last year a contractor submitted a proposal saying he had the technology to repair the landslip without upsetting the graves. “That proposal was given to the Ministry of Works but I don’t know what they do with it. I never heard anything else after that,” De Coteau said. According to the minister, there are 94 landslips along the Moruga Main Road and most of them are located on a ridge, making then difficult to contain.
“Nevertheless, it is the first time we had so many landslips being addressed at the same time. There are some critical ones we have to do, including the cemetery landslip. We have another at Dougla Corner at Fifth Company,.” Responding to complaints that he is not servicing his community, De Coteau said: “I see an average of 150 people every Tuesday in my constituency office. I hold cottage meetings in villages and I have a well trained complement of staff who assist me with constituency matters.”
He said he has financed every sports day and community activity in his constituency. “Out of 478 landslips in the country, 255 are located in Moruga alone. I have the largest constituency and I am trying my best.” He said under his watch, the New Grant Government School was rebuilt after it broke down 25 years ago. He said Glod Road was like a track and is now paved and he has arranged corporate sponsors to help with the road and landslip repairs.
Landslips are collapsing
Director of the Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (Pure) Hayden Phillips said several landslips at Cachipe, Rock River, Basse Terre, St Mary’s and La Lune were repaired but because of the problematic soil conditions, a few collapsed. Phillips said the ministry would have to explore innovative solutions to rid the area of landslips. “Most of the landslides in these areas are due to the soil type which is very expansive clay.”
Phillips said improper home construction, poor drainage and lack of proper maintenance were contributing to the problem.
Who is Pa Niza?
According to local historian Louis B Homer, Papa Niza was born at Third Company Village on December 12, 1901. He was a herbal doctor and preacher, who was also called an obeahman. Through his involvement in the community, Papa Niza became known as the Orisha King of T&T. He became a leader of the Merikens community which comprised of former slaves who fought with the British against the United States in the War of 1812.
During his early years, he was a member of the Spiritual Baptist Church. However, he became involved in the Orisha movement after he was told in a dream that he had healing powers and was able to cast out demons. It is said that he received the powers while sleeping in his garden, when a snake passed over him without causing any harm. He interpreted the event as spiritual powers bestowed on him and soon became the undisputed leader of the affairs of the Orishas in Moruga.