Gov’t monitoring drainage systems to mitigate flooding Agri Min assures

Several residents from communities in the Port Mourant area on the Corentyne Coast met with Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday, who assured them that the government through the ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is working to mitigate flooding across the Coast.

Mustapha along with a team from the ministry met with residents to listen to the issues affecting them. He said that with Guyana stepping into the May/June rainy period, he told the residents that based on data gathered by the Hydromet Department, this year’s rainy period will have conditions similar to that of 2021. The minister disclosed that the ministry has been working with the various regional bodies to put systems in place to avoid a repeat of what took place last year. “Right now we are experiencing a very high intensity of rainfall. I’ve received reports that the internal drains are clogged up. Even if we clear the main canals, if the internal drains are clogged up the water will not drain. I will ask our engineers to organize and send a small team back to the area to look at the drainage issues. I will also assign a small machine to clean all the drains as soon as the recommendations from the engineers,” Mustapha said.

It was noted that residents who turned out to the meeting at Ankerville informed the minister that they see the efforts being made at the level of the Central Government to improve the lives of the citizens and called on the Neighborhood Democratic Councils to step up and play their part. Several residents also complained that when reports are made to the NDC, no action is taken and that the persons who were appointed councilors have not been working in the best interest of those residing in the community.

The Minister explained that the government was aware that there were issues with many NDCs and that they are committed to assisting as many of these bodies, which he said, do not have the resources to function because many persons have not been paying their rates and taxes. Mustapha maintained that this should not stop the NDC from performing its functions, adding that the Central Government will assist with works in the communities. “Both the President and the Vice President have been imploring this, since the inception of NDCs; that those councilors should go out into the communities and meet with the people. We know that revenue collection remains an issue for the NDCs but that doesn’t mean that Central Government wouldn’t act. We will try as much as possible to assist with community issues. You also complained about your streets. When the President and Vice President were here they said that these small internal streets would be done. The Ministry of Public Works is now doing force account whereby the Public Works team is doing the work themselves. All these small alleyways and parapets are being done in concrete asphalt. That programme has already commenced in the 52-74 area” Mustapha explained.

Further, several residents also complained about being attacked by bees in the area. They said that there are many vacant lots in the area with overgrown bushes that have become a haven for bees. Mustapha while addressing this concern, revealed that similar cases are being reported across the country. He informed the residents that the vacant lots are often owned by persons residing overseas and that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been working to address the issue. He stressed that the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry was working to ensure these areas were clear of garbage and old machinery because bees tend to develop hives in these environments.

Further, the residents also raised issues about the ongoing flood-relief programme and informed the minister that many persons are still awaiting relief. The agriculture minister assured that many persons from the region are still on the list to receive assistance and that his ministry was working with the Finance Ministry to complete the distribution of funds soon. He acknowledged that there were issues with the distribution process, noting that action has been taken against persons who were found guilty of colluding with residents to defraud the government. Mustapha told residents that, once they suffered losses they will receive assistance from the government.

It was disclosed that meetings were also held in Bound Yard, Area ‘R’, and Phoebe where residents raised similar concerns. Mustapha added that the ministry would work with the regional officials to have these issues and concerns addressed as soon as possible.