WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister in the House of Assembly.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said major flooding in Pinewood Gardens last week shows new ways of preventing flooding are needed because climate change is rendering traditional mechanisms obsolete.
Pictures and video of widespread flooding in Pinewood Gardens went viral over the weekend after a period of heavy rain in the area. In one video, a resident referred to the area as “Pinewood Lakes” as he filmed two men paddling in kayaks through flood water.
Mr Bannister told reporters before Cabinet met yesterday that the Ministry of Works was expected to make a presentation to Cabinet about ways to address such flooding issues, insisting sophisticated solutions are now needed.
“It’s very important for all of us to understand and I’ve been trying to get people to appreciate that climate change is impacting us really seriously,” he said.
“Initially we dug wells and we dug wells that were 100 feet deep. This last year, the Ministry of Works has deepened all those wells to 250 feet but because of climate change we’ve had rising tides, so in my constituency of Bel Air and Turtle Drive we’ve had flooding.
“The reason we’ve had flooding is even though we’ve doubled the size of the well, the water is coming up now so we have to have new, innovative ways to be able to deal with this challenge.
“The ministry is making a presentation to Cabinet this afternoon about some innovate ways that have worked in other countries and we’re going to try and see if some of that will work in The Bahamas.
“But a whole lot of people call me. We’ve dug about 50 wells this year so far. People call me and they want wells dug in their community but wells actually backfire when we have these high tides because, when we have these high tides, the water actually comes out of the well and they come in the communities. Even though we’ve been digging the deeper wells, we have to go now to more complex, more sophisticated solutions and that’s the challenge.”
Pinewood has been prone to heavy flooding for years.
In 2013, then area MP Khaalis Rolle said a new drainage system for the area could cost the government as much as $13m.
He started plans for the new drainage system, however, the initiative was never carried out under the Christie administration.
In August 2019, current MP Rueben Rahming said more drains would be installed in the area, but warned drains are not a “panacea” for the issue. At the time, he estimated $10m was needed to address the flooding issue in Pinewood — money which he said could not be allocated at the time.
Comments
themessenger 4 years ago
You could have your minions at MOW clean and repair the storm drains more often than once a decade for starters.
themessenger 4 years ago
You could also require the developers of Snake Lakes pay to put in the proper drainage systems that should have been installed from jump instead of bailing, pun intended, their asses, and their lakes out with taxpayer money yet again. SMT!
proudloudandfnm 4 years ago
Please. Pinewood has been flooding since it was developed. Climate change has nothing to do with it. Don't build in a basin. Simple.
tribanon 4 years ago
Can't believe he attributes the flooding to "climate change" after his recent annoucement that government may be inclined to approve the colossal LNG terminal facility that Shell North America is proposing to build on the western end of New Providence island. Bannister and Minnis are both loathsome hypocrites of the highest order.
bahamianson 4 years ago
Agreed, pinewood was poorly developed and allowed to open. It has been flooding ever since and the minister used climate change as the scapegoat. Wow, this guy is clueless.
DWW 4 years ago
umm... if you build at sea level to start with what do you think is giong to happen.
DDK 4 years ago
Not this idiot again..
DDK 4 years ago
I am told this area is one of Sir Snake's PLP developments ??
DDK 4 years ago
Is there any veracity in the story that Pinewoods Gardens was scraped and dug out by the slithery developer for fill which was sold at tax free profit before the construction of the knowingly dangerous low lying areas of the subdivision? I do not believe this stupid government, like its stupid predecessor either understands or cares about climate change.
JokeyJack 4 years ago
I gah get one long long power cord and run my fridge up to the North Pole. I gonna fill up all my ice trays and as soon as they ready, dump them out on the ground and fill em up with water again.
In this way, I will replenish the ice and glaciers dem up dere, real quick.
Yinna stop worrying, I on the case. I ga catch the early bird in the morning.
hrysippus 4 years ago
This is how to obtain a knighthood from the Queen in this country; just construct a subdivision without regard to the height above see level, sell it to you cronies in government so they can give the homes to their supporters and presto you get your knighthood.
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