…gravity drainage via sluices, kokers reduced considerably

THOUSANDS of residents on the low-lying areas on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) will benefit from a new $412M pump station that was commissioned Friday at Hope/Enmore, ECD.

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder in his feature address said the new pumping station will assist the flood-prone and vulnerable population from the negative effects of climate change on its economy, human livelihoods and ecosystems.

Adding that 75 percent of the main economic activities are concentrated on the low-lying coastal zone situated some six feet below sea level. Minister Holder said climate change is anticipated to have potentially disastrous impacts on the economic viability of the agricultural sector. “Climate change is likely to cause extensive and chronic flooding; the inundation of valuable agricultural land; and loss of crops caused by increased frequency of heavy rain and drought conditions. This change in agricultural production may have a negative impact on Guyana economically,” he explained.

He said since assuming office, the government has been faced with extensive flooding in 2015 and 2017, and drought conditions caused by the el Niño effect in 2016, as such it is also important to note that, due to rising sea levels, gravity drainage period via sluices and kokers has been reduced considerably.

Further, Minister Holder said the agriculture sector is undoubtedly one of the most important sectors in Guyana and continues to contribute over 16 per cent to the economy. “It is a sector that is crucial in terms of reducing unemployment, poverty alleviation and for bolstering economic development. Significantly, sustainable food security is a goal that the sector aims to achieve by improving the quality and quantity of the crops, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors,” he underscored.

He explained that flood risk management is a critical area of focus for the government, and in particular the Ministry of Agriculture, as Guyana is highly vulnerable to flooding, particularly in the coastal areas which are below sea level. He said the Agriculture Ministry through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), has been concentrating on water management as a critical area of focus since the major portion of the country’s agriculture is practiced in the low lying areas of regions of 2,3,4,5 and 6.

Minister Holder explained that this project, ‘Flood Risk Management,’ stemmed from the World Bank’s ‘Conservancy Adaptation Project’ (CAP) which conducted engineering studies that allowed government to prioritize investments in critical areas.

Highlighting that the project also identified the most vulnerable area of the East Demerara Water Conservancy’s (EDWC) if overflow, or a dam-breach, was to occur, Minister Holder said the Flood Risk Management Project addressed upgrading critical sections of the EDWC which will allow for more ‘robust’ dam construction, as it controls dam quality, process quality, engineering knowledge, and infrastructural suitability.

He said that the NDIA is currently reconstructing a section of the North Eastern Dam from Hope to Flagstaff. The construction of three drainage pump stations and the purchase of Earth moving equipment (excavators, pontoons with mud basins and soil compactor) to upgrade and maintain the dam is also ongoing.

Once these works are completed, Minister Holder noted that the NDIA will take over operations and continue the construction and maintenance in accordance with its mandate.
“Since assuming office in 2015, this government has made determined efforts to grapple with the deficiencies in the drainage and irrigation systems throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. We have reorganised the NDIA to manage water in a more deliberate and structured manner, looking at the unique needs of each region and allocating the resources to implement the relevant plans,” the agriculture Minister said.

He said another major project was the procurement of a new submersible dredge pump valued at GY$320M, to aid with the authority’s drainage operations. This dredge will maintain our outfall channels in a more time efficient manner. Maintenance is essential for the sustainability of the D&I system. For the first half of 2018, NDIA completed 2,853 km of works in relation to the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of canals, drains and fair weather dams.

In conclusion, the Agriculture Minister noted that under an Indian Line of Credit Facility, government has secured 12 pumps – 9 fixed and 3 mobile pumps. This will benefit over 35,000 acres of rice cultivation, cash crops and cattle, in Hampton Court, Devonshire Castle, Den Amstel, Hope, Nootenzuil, Mora Point , Rose Hall and 3 mobile drainage pumps for Georgetown.

“The NDIA currently directly oversees the operation of 60 drainage pumps in Guyana. The additional 12 pumps under the Indian Line of Credit will see an increase of 20 per cent of available pumps and a 17 per cent increase in pumping capacity,” Holder said.
CEO of NDIA Fredrick Flatts said the station has two pumps with the ability to deliver over 1200 gallons per second.

He said the pump station is expected to last for decades and will make a significant difference in drainage while there are 65 fixed and mobile pumps in the NDIA which are used throughout the country particularly on the coastal plane to reduce flooding.
Flatts explained that in the NDIA as more pump stations are completed and more sluices are built along the coastland waters will be drained more rapidly preventing serious flooding. Adding that previously there was a mobile pump at the current spot, the NDIA official said a fixed pump was needed at the location to ensure proper drainage of the area.
World Bank representative Pierre Nadji said the conservancy represents the size of Washington DC and Guyana maybe known as a small country but some works are on a world dimension.

He explained that flooding is an everyday threat and pumping stations can have a positive effect on the lives of citizens across the country. “I have been here four years in the current capacity of supervising Guyana’s programme and I have noted a very solid acceleration of achievements in the past two years, and for that I really commend the government,” Nadji said.

He said Guyana is expected to have rapid development with the oil sector but if the flood risks cannot be controlled many things will not materialize.

Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr. Hector Butts said the Finance Ministry is committed to identify funding which would serve to bring about economic good and sustainable development through the issue of flood management.