The government says it will need more time than initially thought to repair the damage that Hurricane Beryl caused to the Grenadines Wharf in Kingstown on July 1.
Minister of Seaports and Grenadines Affairs, Senator Benarva Browne told Parliament on Thursday that an assessment after repair works began showed that the damage to the wharf was worse than the first assessment showed.
She was responding to a question from Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, who noted that the repair work had ceased and more than four months after the cyclone, use of the facility remains restricted.
He asked the minister to say why the repair work had stopped, when it would recommence and when the repair would be completed.
Browne said that following the impact of the category 4 cyclone, the Port Authority aggressively pursued repairs to the damaged facilities.
“To date, all the simple, straightforward repairs have been carried out by internal teams and outsourced,” she said.
The minister said the Port Authority’s initial timeline was to have the Grenadines Wharf repaired by mid-October.
“Unfortunately, some of the damaged infrastructure cannot be repaired at the desired pace and the Grenadines Wharf is one such infrastructure.”
She said the waves ripped the concrete slabs at the wharf off the beams and tore steel mats containing one-inch thick steel, mangling them, in some instances.
“Immediately after the storm, the Port Authority invited contractors to inspect the damage to the Grenadines Wharf and provide solutions,” she said, adding that the contractors submitted their proposals by July 15.
“The technical team reviewed the submissions and a preferred solution was selected with final approval from the board of directors.
The Port Authority approved the contractors’ commencement of the repairs on Aug. 16, Browne said.
She said all the contractors proposed excavating the damaged concrete slab and replacing it using various construction techniques.
“The rigorous selection process focused on methodology and proposed quality controls during the repair process. The contractor mobilised and began the demolition of the damaged slabs on Sept. 5, 2024.”
The minister said that within a few days, the contractor discovered that the damage was more extensive than anticipated.
“The beams that supported the slabs were fractured and compromised, posing a safety risk. This discovery made it necessary to review the repair scope and amendment to the contract, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of the Grenadines Wharf.”
Browne said the new scope now entails redesigning the structural support and the concrete slabs for the berth.
“Therefore, adequate engineering assessments were needed to be carried out by competent engineers to inform the design of the repair. Therefore, the contractor procured services of a competent engineering firm to develop these technical solutions.”
She said that while in the interest of time the Port Authority could have reconstructed the infrastructure as it was before the storm, “we must bear in mind a few things…
“We are experiencing stronger and more intense weather systems. The original design is over 40 years old. Technology and engineering standards have changed,” Browne said.
“The structure demonstrated that it could not withstand the conditions presented by Hurricane Beryl.
“Improvements that will dissipate the energy and help the facility to withstand similar storms are prudent.”
She said the Port Authority received the updated engineering solution from the contractor on Nov. 22 and was reviewing it.
“Once the proposal is accepted, the estimated timeline to complete the repairs is 53 days or eight weeks,” Browne said.
She said that this updated solution is “not just a step forward, but a crucial one, as it will ensure that the repairs are not just a restoration but an adaptation to changing weather conditions”.
After the minister’s response, the opposition leader said people using the wharf would be happy to hear that work is ongoing and efforts are being made to get it done quickly.
“What exactly is the timeline for completion? How could they plan going forward?” Friday asked the minister, however.
Browne said:
“I would … state once the Port Authority accepts the revised engineering solutions in 53 days or eight weeks from that time.”
However, Friday said that the minister had merely repeated what she had said before. “It doesn’t give me a date. It doesn’t tell me when it’s going to happen,” the opposition leader said.
I’ve seen my days of commenting on issues are almost done. So in the interest of the rulers I will cease and desist. Goodbye.