ST. JOHN'S Antigua,June 20th, 2012 -- Senior officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA) and the Development Control Authority (DCA) met, on Tuesday, June 19, at a development in Bathlodge. The area in question includes a manmade pond, which CHAPA backfilled, to facilitate the development of the area.
The decision to backfill the pond has been the recent subject of media reports, some of which erroneously suggested that the backfilling of the pond was a mistake that would have ecological ramifications.
The facts are the water catchment was not a natural waterway. To the contrary, it was created 15 years ago by a farmer. It was incorrectly placed on the sloping hillside rather than in a gully. The improper placement resulted in serious erosion following heavy rains, over the years.
CHAPA, to whom the land belongs, recently began the process of preparing the land for distribution. That process included clearing overgrown vegetation, relocating coconut trees and backfilling the pond in question.
Officials at CHAPA consulted with senior agriculture officials, who advised that backfilling the pond was the proper action owing to the damage the overflow has wreaked on the adjacent village over the years.
Further, it was agreed that the development, inclusive of the construction of roads and proper drainage will correct the faulty water flow and attendant issues caused by the presence of the improperly placed man made pond.
Contrary to speculation, the divisions within the Ministry of Agriculture, Housing, Lands and the Environment were not at odds and there was no autocracy on the part of any department.
The officials who met on Tuesday agreed that while there could have been better internal communication, CHAPA did not err.
Approval from the Environment Division was not a prerequisite, as the backfilled area was not a natural water course. Additionally, the development is not at the stage where DCA sanction is required.
All the parties committed to better reporting and research going forward.
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