Gully project to kick off at the Whim

Minister of Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde has announced that Government will soon be embarking on a gully ecosystem and restoration project.

Speaking at the launch of the Clean and Green Campaign at Six Men’s, St Peter, on Friday, Forde said the project, which is still in the planning phase, is necessary to preserve Barbados’ gully ecosystem which contributes to the overall tourism product, in addition to serving as a space for locals to explore and enjoy.

“I am saying the gully, forestry, rural Barbados, will allow us to be able to sequester the carbon dioxide. It will allow us another tourism product to be able to advance our tourism drive. And along with that, it will allow Barbadians to have a stake in enjoying that which is natural,” he said.

Forde, who also indicated that the upcoming project will bring new life to biodiversity and allow water streams to run their natural course and flow into the sea, made a fresh appeal to Barbadians to stop dumping garbage in the island’s gullies.

“Stop putting the old fridges, the stoves and all those things that would not only destroy the beauty of the gullies, but will destroy the soil, the air and the water supply,” Forde said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for St Peter Colin Jordan who commended the initiative said it was needed to preserve the gullies and to resolve flooding issues. He was pleased that the Whim Gully, also situated in that parish, was chosen as the location to pilot the project.

The St Peter resident said the Whim Gully, known for causing flooding in the Speightstown area when there is heavy rainfall, will benefit tremendously from such a developmental project.

Jordan also revealed that Six Men’s will benefit from a refurbishment of the present commercial fish vending area. He noted that the current stalls will be replaced with enhanced infrastructure to allow for improved commercial activity by the fisherfolk in the area.

“We have already received a preliminary sketch of what the area could look like and we are going to be pushing the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc (BTMI) on that matter to see the realisation,” Jordan said.

The St Peter MP also indicated that he has spoken to the relevant ministries about facilitating urgent infrastructure works to an area at Six Men’s beach which experienced erosion as recently as two months ago.

The recreational space will allow residents to assemble in a relaxing environment to host community activities. It will be beautified with fruit trees and benches.

“Six Men’s has a very tight-knit community and we know that the residents here will take care of the facilities and we will be happy for all the rest of St Peter and the north to come and enjoy this facility with them,” Jordan said. (AH)