Flood Plan coming, estimated at $4 Million announces Minister Robinson

Dana Malcolm

Staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 14, 2023 – The government is spending $4 million to fix current flooding issues in Providenciales according to Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure.

“We have a $4 million drainage project that will look at drainage across the Turks and Caicos but particularly in Providenciales. We’re going to set up various catchment areas where it is easier for the water to flow and build up in one area rather than on the streets.”

The Ministry will then pump water out of those catchment areas via the drainage system. Robinson said the plan should be drawn up by the end of November. He was speaking following a bout of flooding in Providenciales in late October.

The minister explained why the streets were still flooding dispute drains being outfitted with pumps that are working well. Using the most recent flooding in late October as an example, Robinson highlighted the heavy rains that fell during that period and the nature of Downtown, Providenciales which used to be a swampy area before development.

“Because of the excessive rainfall you’re talking about clearing up SMART, The bypass straight across Gus Lightbourne, Sweet T’s all of that area and again behind the ballpark  all of that pulling off of one pump and so that takes time,” he explained.

The minister stressed though that the pumps were working and the areas were clear within hours which was a marked improvement from previous years.

“Historically you would talk about Downtown being flooded for days on end – even with far less rain events. So now there was some flooding of course but the length of time that the areas were not passable were far less than it has been.”

Minister Jamell Robinson stressed that proper disposal of garbage was a key part of preventing flooding as garbage disposed all over Providenciales would make their way into the drains and eventually clog the passages.

Robinson also maintained that water channels change as development continues and it would be a continuous job for the  ministry to keep monitoring and creating paths for stormwater to flow or be pumped out of the streets and neighborhoods.