PARAMARIBO – Given the fact that the pleas from the residents of Weg naar Zee fall on deaf ears, because the Ministry of Public Works still has not repaired the dam to keep the sea water out, the residents have decided to make the auxiliary dam that is located behind the pilgrimage resort higher.
Ramon Bajnath, chairman of Stichting Bedevaartsoord Weg naar Zee, made it clear that the Public Works Ministry never responded to the repeated calls to fix the dam. “We are currently in the dry season and the heavy winds trigger high waves that could cause the water to flood the area during the next spring tide which is expected on October 18th,” said Bajnath.
The auxiliary dam that is located behind the pilgrimage resort, has been raised and is now 3 meters high. Several years ago the pilgrimage resort was flooded and the water had caused a lot of damage, so the chairman decided to raise the dam instead of waiting for the government. The chairman predicted that the next spring tide would flood the houses of the people who live along the Brantimakkaweg and the Oedayrajsingh Varmaweg.
“I have lived here for the past 36 years and have written letters to the administrations of president Venetiaan, Bouterse and Santokhi for the past 25 years, but the problem still has not been addressed. The sea has moved inwards and has already claimed 800 meters of land. The first batch of plants that were planted by professor Naipal were washed away. The green dam will not help, because a concrete dam is needed. If the concrete dam is not built, the government must give the residents a piece of land for their crops because there are no other options. Weg naar Zee is in danger,” said Bajnath.…[+]