Port Project Co-ordinator: ‘We have a duty to inform, not inflame’

Project Co-ordinator on the Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, Lenski Douglas, is urging persons to be responsible in their utterances about the US$170 million project.

Since waves removed the compacted sand that had been mined from the sea at Argyle, the problem at the incomplete port has assumed almost gigantic proportions. And, it has gained greater negative traction since the circulation of additional aerial footage showing that sand was removed from an area of the port closest to the quay wall, leading many to conclude that the problem is worsening.

Douglas, an Engineer who is the project co-ordinator, told SEARCHLIGHT, there is a problem at the port, but that it is being addressed as quickly as possible, noting that the visual changes observed in the drone footage are expected during the construction process.

“It’s an active construction site. When problems occur, you have to apply a fix, and sometimes part of fixing it may appear as if it is worse. There’s no guarantee that the holes will remain the same size,” Douglas explained.

The Port Modernisation Project, the second biggest capital investment of the Unity Labour Party administration, encountered structural challenges earlier this year.

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves first addressed the issue publicly on March 4, 2025 during his regular mid-week appearance on NBC Radio’s ‘Morning Cup’ programme, during which he explained that the problem stemmed from the declutching of sheet piles which only threatens the soil retention ability of the quay wall.

He said that a remedial engineering solution had been identified, and the cost of repairs would be covered by the contractors, not the State.

He again addressed the issue at a press briefing at Cabinet Room on April, 7, 2025, during which he accused the New Democratic Party (NDP) of exhibiting hysteria over the project.

The press conference was held five days after the NDP held its own press conference hosted by the party’s leader, Dr Godwin Friday, along with the representative for West Kingstown, Daniel Cummings, and former NDP politician and engineer Glenford Stewart, where the trio spoke on the problems with the port project, and said the declutching had compromised the entire project.

During the Cabinet Room press conference, Gonsalves read extensively from a report he said was prepared by Douglas which addressed the issues raised by the NDP during their press conference.

In his SEARCHLIGHT interview Douglas emphasised that, “there is nothing new to add except to reiterate that the rectification work is ongoing.”

Douglas said that he appreciates the public’s concern about the project but took swipe at individuals who have been circulating drone footage online accusing them of “sensationalising” the issue and presenting a distorted version of the facts.

“The photos would change. From a professional perspective on site; the remedial work is ongoing. What an untrained person who wants to sensationalise an issue may see is that it is a worse photo than the last time,” the engineer stated, adding that, “we have to be cautious who we have wagging the story.”

Douglas spoke of the need for journalistic responsibility in an age of digital information overload.

“We all want transparency,” he acknowledged, “but relying on WhatsApp rumours or sensational drone videos can quickly distort reality. We have a duty to inform, not inflame.”

The Kingstown Port Modernisation Project remains a major investment in the country’s future connectivity and trade, and Douglas noted that when the time comes that the project is completed, a lot of people may be singing a different tune.

Despite the apparent growing public scepticism, Douglas maintains that the full recompaction of the affected area is scheduled to begin in mid-June, with the complete construction phase wrapping up by the end of 2025 — assuming no major weather-related disruptions occur during the upcoming hurricane season. Construction of the project officially began in July, 2022 and has a completion target of mid-2025.

Douglas revealed that there will be an opportunity for individuals to interact with him and others about the issue this Sunday, April 27, 2025 during WEFM’s Issue at Hand Programme.