Fermanagh politicians have been united this week in their calls for Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to do more in regards to flooding in Boho.
Their renewed calls come in the wake of Storm Franklin's aftermath, that caused major flooding disruption to the area and anger at the suggestion that the "cost of these proposals far outweigh the benefits".
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan criticised Minister Mallon for not taking flooding in Boho seriously enough. She said: "With more flooding in Boho, the letter I recently received from the Minister of Infrastructure in response to my petition [to address constant, repeat flooding in the area] is quite frankly infuriating.
"It claims maintenance work will be carried out 'by the end of the financial year'. This should have been carried out and completed right after the last flooding [December 5, 2021].
"The letter states 'previous efforts' to raise the road level to 'prevent disruption' have been unsuccessful. I know that, and the residents of Boho know that it was unsuccessful.
"What must happen now is that more work to raise the road has to take place, with better engineering solutions to ensure that this time it is successful.
"And in regards to the flood alleviation scheme 'far outweighing any benefits', that is simply unacceptable.
"The minister's constituents in North Belfast would not be spoken to and dismissed like that, and neither should the people of Boho,” she added.
Also commenting on the flooding, DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said: “It has been quite apparent for some time now that the Sillees River is in need of a flood alleviation scheme.
"I would strongly urge the minister to reconsider her Department’s previous position that the costs for such a scheme would outweigh the benefits.
“Given the damage and disruption that has been caused once more, the costs of inaction are surely building up.
"Minister Mallon should visit Fermanagh for herself, and see the destruction caused. [If she did so,] I wonder would she still hold her current position or act to implement a proper strategy to tackle this issue once and for all?”
Concerns were also raised by Councillor Anthony Feeley, Sinn Féin, who said: “I have had a pile of phone calls since last Sunday, and I got on to the Rivers Agency and DFI roads who worked quickly.”
Commenting on the long-running Boho flooding issue, Councillor Feeley said: “There is one farmer in Boho who is now in his eighties, and this has been a problem since he was a boy.”
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