BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Sandy Pointers have spoken and actions are in the process of being taken with regards to the ponds at La Vallee which residents argued are a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Two weeks ago, over 300 Sandy Pointers and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Five Hon. Shawn Richards signed a petition that stated they are displeased with the ponds at La Vallee.
A letter addressed to Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas and Health Minister Hon. Marcella Liburd on June 2 cited concerns of the constituents with regards to the mosquito problems stemming from the presence of the ponds at the development site and its possible relation to the residents contracting Chikungunya.
The now defunct La Vallee Greens Development was erected some 12 years ago with the intention of being a luxury golf course. In the process, a number of man-made ponds were created as part of the development.
On several occasions, the residents of Sandy Point and Fig Tree had complained about the state of the development area, as it is not being maintained and has become overgrown with trees and bushes and the ponds are now "a breeding ground for mosquitoes".
With the revelation by Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer Alexander Riley that the majority of confirmed and suspected cases of Chikungunya came from Sandy Point, concerns were again raised and a push has now been made for something to be done about La Vallee.
Shortly after the petition was sent to the relevant bodies, Richards told this publication that an officer within the Ministry of Health had shown interest in taking a look at the ponds with the intention of seeing what actions could be taken to alleviate the mosquito problem.
Speaking with the Constituency Five Representative yesterday (Jun. 18), he indicated that a few days after the petition was sent, he, Riley and La Valle Greens Chairman Oswald Martin visited the ponds and a commitment was made to rectify the situation.
Richards informed that backhoes would be used to clear the entrance to the ponds and fish would be placed in them so as to help curb the mosquito problems.
When contacted yesterday, Riley confirmed the commitment and disclosed that the process would soon begin.
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