St. George’s, April 19, 2011 (GIS) – Efforts to repair damage caused by last week’s flash flood on the west coast are continuing with the Ministry of Works and employees of other departments involved in rehabilitation exercises in St. Mark and St. John.

Residents of both parishes met last Saturday with a Cabinet Sub-Committee to discuss their plight and to explain exactly what help is required in their communities, which have been declared a “Local Disaster Area.’’

One of the steps taken by government since Saturday has been the dredging and clearing of the river in St. John, which overflowed its banks and caused damage to several coastal homes.

Government has said that it intends to carry out work to mitigate and prevent future flooding along the coasts of the river.

The Sub-Committee comprises Minister for Works, Transport, Physical Development and Public Utilities, Joseph Gilbert; Minister for Housing, Lands and Community Development, Alleyne Walker; Minister of State for Information and Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sen. Arley Gill; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Export Development and the Environment, Sen. Dennoth Modeste.

Committee members were meeting in a special session on Tuesday with Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, and rest of the Cabinet of Ministers, to further discuss a proposed aid plan for St. Mark and St. John.