Probably my last update on the BIG DIG, as I'll be departing Nairobi in a month, and work seems to have come to a standstill. When I left off last time, the dirt had been removed, and so there is no longer any way to drive anything in or out of the hole. A metal ladder (that goes straight down) had been constructed, I assume so the operator of the dead digger at the bottom of the hole could get out. How they will ever get the machinery or the sand, cement, rock, etc. into the hole to build anything, I have no idea. A parachute drop my be the answer.
While Margaret and I were at the coast a couple of weeks ago, someone constructed a new corrugated iron “wall” across the opening to the BIG DIG. It is no longer likely that someone will inadvertently fall in. There is no “door” there anymore, but there is still a gate at the top of the hill. From the gate to the drop off is about eight feet.
About a week ago, the “wall” was taken down and a huge crane was erected on the edge of the hole. It just about filled up the road outside our compound. Its purpose soon became clear – it was going to pull the digger out of the hole. We were out and about during that operation, and I’m sorry not to have photos of that event. I’m sure it was interesting. By the time we had returned, the “wall” had been replaced and all the equipment was gone.
It has now started raining once more, and the hole is filling up with water. It seems that the project has been abandoned as a lost cause. One further piece of information that I had recently, our center was given the offer to purchase the land (before the hole was started) for about $425,000. So, it is a valuable piece of real estate, and I can’t imagine that it will be abandoned for too long. I’ve asked one of my colleagues to keep me posted on any changes, with photos. As for now, the BIG DIG seems to be a BIG DUD!
While Margaret and I were at the coast a couple of weeks ago, someone constructed a new corrugated iron “wall” across the opening to the BIG DIG. It is no longer likely that someone will inadvertently fall in. There is no “door” there anymore, but there is still a gate at the top of the hill. From the gate to the drop off is about eight feet.
About a week ago, the “wall” was taken down and a huge crane was erected on the edge of the hole. It just about filled up the road outside our compound. Its purpose soon became clear – it was going to pull the digger out of the hole. We were out and about during that operation, and I’m sorry not to have photos of that event. I’m sure it was interesting. By the time we had returned, the “wall” had been replaced and all the equipment was gone.
It has now started raining once more, and the hole is filling up with water. It seems that the project has been abandoned as a lost cause. One further piece of information that I had recently, our center was given the offer to purchase the land (before the hole was started) for about $425,000. So, it is a valuable piece of real estate, and I can’t imagine that it will be abandoned for too long. I’ve asked one of my colleagues to keep me posted on any changes, with photos. As for now, the BIG DIG seems to be a BIG DUD!
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