Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, says that he will launch an investigation into an alleged removal of sand from 63 Beach by the BK International company.
In a walkabout in the region on Wednesday, Minister Indar noted that after numerous complaints about the removal of the sand that could cost the foundation from the river bank to break causing flooding, he had to visit the site for himself.
On his visit, Minister Indar explained that his ministry had some reports of the BK International Company removing sand from 63 Beach on the reef leading to the beachfront and taking the sand to a Sea Defence construction site in Corriverton. As such a cease order was given, Indar said.
“This is a reef, it’s not privately owned; it’s a sea defence reserve protected by law and they were digging it out, as you can see a whole pond of it.
“They dug it out and they took these large trucks and they use the font close to the sea defence and they destroy that piece too by the heavy truck moving through the earthen dam that was made by a previous contractor, a different contractor, who built that sea defence,” Indar explained
Minister Indar said that he wrote to BK to place back the sand and fix the damaged dam.
But Minister Indar was either unaware of his location or he had another motive for his reaction. He must have been told that his visit took him to Number 59 Village where the excavation was being conducted.
This village is four villages, about two miles, from Number 63 Beach.
The location of the excavation was private property, owned by Mr Dalton Angel. Mr Angel produced the deed to prove his ownership.
When questions were raised as to how such an event happened under the watch Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Indar said that NDC does not have the power to grant such approval and BK had only requested to use the access road.
That was correct. The NDC, by way of compromise with the Project Coordinator Ron Archer, suggested that the all-weather road at Number 63 be used to access the site at Number 59 Village. There was no need to seek permission to remove the reef sand or to have any discussion with the Sea Defence Board since the matter involved a private transaction.
BK International has since issued a statement that nothing was done illegally.
“We have receipts of purchase for this material from private land which is proven by a certificate of Transport by its owner. This land is located approximately 400 feet inland from the river defence and therefore not part of any coastal defence or breach structure.”
Minister Indar said the matter will be resolved this week, adding that BK International will also have to provide a progress report on the ongoing sea defence works at Corriverton. The progress report should indicate, among other things, the source of the materials for the works, he said.
Observers now wonder whether there would be a retraction by the government of the accusation that was featured prominently in sections of the media.
