Impacted communities in Region 3 assessed by Members of the Cabinet Level Taskforce on Flooding

Agriculture Minister Zulficar Mustapha, along with Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, Chairman of the
National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and members of the Civil Defence
Commission (CDC) yesterday conducted assessments of flood impacted areas in Essequibo
Islands-West Demerara (Region 3). These organisations are part of a Cabinet Level Task Force
on Flooding, led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips. Members of the Regional Democratic Council
(RDC) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) also accompanied the Taskforce
members during the assessments.

Mustapha and team assessed villages which included Meten-Meer-Zorg, De Willem, De
Kinderen and Zeelugt. These hard-hit areas were given assurances by the minister that the NDIA
will work tirelessly to ensure that; mobile pumps are installed and fully operational at De
Kinderen and Zeelugt. Additionally, that main drains also in other areas such as Tuschen will be
cleaned and desilted.
Meanwhile, the CDC, in collaboration with the RDC and NDCs, was expected to distribute
cleaning hampers to the significantly affected communities of Region 3 this morning. These
hampers, the minister said will aim to assist residents with sanitizing their households and
combating against any potential health hazards as a result of the flooding.
Additionally, the Hydrometeorological Office forecasts at least two inches of rain along the Coast
over the next twelve hours, especially along Regions 2 to 5. As a result, residents in low lying
and flooded areas are urged to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions. The National
Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) remains online 24/7 so that anyone can report flood
impacts. They added that numbers are 592-226-114 and 592-600-7500.