Not missing – Vanterpool accounts for Christopher

Representative of the Fifth Electoral District Delores Christopher is getting some help in making her whereabouts known to constituents, who recently took to social media to accuse her of being missing from the district since she was re-elected in June 2015.

Residents of the district made the claim days after a tropical wave resulted in flooding, the loss of utility supplies, and infrastructure damage in various districts including the Fifth.

Minister of Communication and Works Mark Vanterpool, in a Facebook post yesterday, declared that Christopher has been trying to get work done in her constituency since the torrential rainfall.

He added that the works ministry has been working with Christopher to address a number of issue in sections of the constituency, including Huntums Ghut and Horse Path

“On Tuesday, Fifth District representative Honourable Delores Christopher invited me to her district to look at a number of projects, including the Upper Huntums Ghut itself that was blocked during last week’s flooding. She was touring the district with Public Works Department Engineer Jameel Georges and senior Ministry of Communications official Margaret Greene,” Vanterpool explained.

He continued: “Since last Tuesday, Honourable Christopher has been working with me as the minister responsible for Infrastructure, constantly, to improve areas in her district. She has pointed out several issues, and requested that urgent attention be paid to the area.”

Vanterpool further stated that he made a follow-up visit to the Fifth District yesterday, August 17.

“My follow-up visit was also as a result of her (Christopher’s) request,” he declared.

“Regarding the ghut, we are working to improve the situation. This area has suffered from flooding for many years, with water coming down from Mountain Ghut and running sometimes for months. I remember this ghut was always wide. In fact, we used to wash clothes and bathe in this ghut,” Vanterpool added.

“However, over the years, the ghut was narrowed and there are not enough areas opened up for cleaning – creating blockages when the debris accumulates. We are now opening up some areas for regular cleaning in an effort to alleviate flooding in the area.”

Vanterpool further explained that Christopher also invited him to Horse Path where – among other things – walls collapsed.

“The Ministry of Communications and Works remains committed to doing all we can to assist in the recovery effort at this time,” Vanterpool said.