During our investigation we conducted site visits, analyzed
photos, spoke to the local residents and consulted with professionals. After
careful analysis our feeling is that the project has not only experienced
financial difficulties, but that there are serious construction flaws.
The cookie began to crumble when the reckless Skerrit
administration decided to take a project that was designed for the Melville
Hall area and within a few weeks after the decision, started construction at a
completely different location. Needless to say there was little to no time for environmental
impact studies, geotechnical analysis and prudent project planning. What we
know for a fact is that there is a vast difference between the environmental
and geological conditions at the Cabrits and that of the Melville Hall area.
Most significantly is the fact that the Hotel site at the Cabrits is literally
wetland or what we usually call a swamp. In fact the local residents commonly
refer to the Morocco hotel location as “Swamp.” Many of the residents that we
spoke to also stated that this area should be very dear to the counterfeit
owner of the “8 wonders” of Dominica. It was once the most favored crab hunting
area for crab vendors.
We have heard several rumors that the Morocco Hotel
buildings have been “sinking” but we were not able to verify the allegations
because security would not allow us to get into the buildings to perform the
diagnostic measurements to verify the same. According to our professional
sources, all new buildings will settle and the degree of settlement could be
based on several factors. In conditions where the high water table fluctuates building
structures could experience significant settlement or “sinking.” We found out
that at “Swamp” the water table fluctuates – according to residents during the
dry season the Swamp area is visibly dry and during wet season the water table
rises, so much so that the crabs have to evacuate their underground caverns and
find themselves in the coffers of counterfeit villa owners.
It is quite possible that during the dry season the soil loses enough moisture to cause considerable foundation settlement thus
the perception of the sinking Morocco Hotel should not be discarded. The emerging
question is – whether or not the dramatic fluctuation of the high water table
was factored into the design when the hotel was relocated? Note well that the
Melville Hall site as far as we know does not exhibit the same geological /soil
condition. Did the politicians in the Roosevelt Skerrit administration railroad
the building department so that they could air dropped some hotel buildings in
Swamp? “All you see what could happen when we give a monkey pepper and a gun”.
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At left: Close-up of water in basement.
At right: Basement opening |
The evidence shows that the basements are all filled with
water and according to our professionals this is serious cause for concern. So
far the only logical reason for the water logged basements, is the presence of
a high ground water table. We suspect that, Eckhart, the German engineer, knew
of the fluctuating high ground water table and the potential risk of installing
a shallow foundation or even basements at the same location. Verily Eckhart built
his bungalow type house on what is referred to as a raise slab on grade- He
backfilled the area and then placed a concrete slab on the backfilled area.
The new concrete block foundation walls, also raises a red
flag, particularly in a swampy area. Due to the porosity of masonry blocks, block
foundation walls do have an intrinsic weakness in water log conditions. The
mortar joints themselves are also very vulnerable to leaks especially in a fluctuating
ground water table condition. The visual evidence of the infiltrating ground
water into the basements raises the questions. Was the
foundation and basement slab waterproofed? Did the government allow the
engineers to do what they are trained to do? A leaky basement is ideal
for premature deterioration of the foundation walls and will enhance the
development of molds in the buildings. Just imagine a hotel plagued by molds – a
recipe for disaster. Currently these water logged basements are breeding places
for mosquitos.
We know that the government is aware of the
problems. People who had interacted with some of the Moroccans have informed us
that the Moroccans were very concerned. We are told that the mitigation cost is
astronomical and that the financiers are not willing to meet the additional
cost. One would think that, to at least preserve whatever dignity that’s left, the
shameless Roosevelt Skerrit administration would use some of the passport
revenues to complete the Morocco Hotel but instead they have elected to give
Kempinski a blank check to build and operate another hotel just a stone throw
away from the deserted Morocco Hotel. Oh what another travesty!!! But then
again, we gave monkey a ”boda ma jac” (pepper) and a loaded gun, so what do we
expect?
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At left: Concrete Block Foundation Schematic
At right: Actual Block Foundation at Basement |
The question of whether or not an environmental
impact statement was prepared is aligned with the concerns regarding the
provisions for the handling of sewage especially in a high ground water table
location. A high ground water table can be problematic for a septic tank system,
if the septic system design does not account for the high ground water
condition. A high ground water table could overload the septic tank and cause
surface leaks through manhole covers. Additionally the high ground water table
could inundate the soak pit or drainage field to help create flooding and
sewage leak into the ground water. It is for this reason and more, that an
environmental impact statement is absolutely necessary. A threat to our ground water condition is a
threat to our lives and livelihood, and it is quite asinine that the citizens would
give a politician unfettered rights to threaten our lives, our health and our
livelihood. According to the professionals that we spoke to there is no
indication of an appropriate sewage handling system.
During our site visit we also noticed that weep
holes (drain Holes) were conveniently drilled through the buildings peripheral
walls. The attached photos also show signs of draining water near the ring beams.
Based on the evidence it appears that the roofs may be leaking. So as it stands,
the basements are water logged and there seem to be leaks from above. Why does
it seem that everything Roosevelt Skerrit manages becomes a calamity? When it
rains it really really pours.
In conducting our investigation we realize that there was no
need to even analyze the lies and distortion that comes from a pathological
liar. We figure Ian Douglas’ remarks are always done under “D Special”
circumstances and so what else to do but giggle. Nevertheless we decided to
take a closer look at what is before us as evidence of another Roosevelt
Skerrit failure. We see a construction site that has not seen any construction
activities over the last three (3) years; Construction equipment left on the
job site is almost covered with grass.
We see unfinished buildings with water
logged basements and leaks from above. Interestingly, we have been informed
recently that the fences are being elevated to keep prying eyes from seeing the
fiasco that exists as The Morrocan Hotel. We are 100% certain that an
environmental impact statement was not prepared and that there was no due
diligent planning for the “Swamp” area. Until we see otherwise we believe that
this Morocco hotel project is abandoned by the Roosevelt Skerrit government. We
have heard the phrase “a cannot do government” but when we analyze the
Roosevelt Skerrit regime we are often reminded of the idiom “the higher the
monkey climb is the more it exposes its anus.” What is even more frightful is
that the people gave a monkey pepper and a loaded gun and they thought it was
going to be alright. SMH.
Foot Note: We expect some scrambling by the government apologists. We encourage
everyone to go see what we are talking about. Also Do you think that the
construction is worth EC $35 Million?.
