NDIA urges overhaul of Bartica drainage system
A badly silted drain along First Avenue Bartica
A badly silted drain along First Avenue Bartica

BARTICA’S drainage system is in dire need of overhauling, an investigation conducted by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has found.

The heavily silted and vegetated Mongrippa Creek
The heavily silted and vegetated Mongrippa Creek

NDIA conducted the assessment of the drainage network in Bartica on September 13, after two major rainstorms had caused significant flooding, resulting in major losses by residents and businesses.

The investigation was facilitated based on a request made by the Mayor, Gifford Marshall, who had pointed out that residents residing in the first five Avenues were seriously affected, along with those living from 1st Street to 9th Street.

In a report recently submitted to the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, NDIA explained that the area affected is drained by three main outlets – a manually operated sluice and two self-acting doors, which are located in close proximity to the river and operate on a tidal basis. Additionally, it was found that the existing drains vary from concrete to earthen, running parallel to the roadway on each side. There is also a collector drain that passes between two avenues.

“In most cases the drains are silted and non-existent in some cases. It was noted also that the concrete drains parallel to the roads varies from 1 to 3 feet width, with similar depth,” the report stated.

Additionally, the concrete collector drains measure approximately 5ft in width with similar depth. It was noted that approximately 150 feet of the collector drain located between 1st and 2nd Avenue (between 6th and 7th Street) had collapsed, restricting the flow of water.

The Mongrippa Creek is in dire need of desilting. It is used as an earthen drain, one which is larger than the others, but it is heavily silted preventing the free flow of water. Heavy siltation was also visible in many of the other drains and culverts, NDIA reported.
“It was noted that there is no storage area in event of a heavy down pour. The water running off the hill areas will flood the low lying areas. This was the case that resulted in flooding on September 11. The concrete roadside drains are small and do not have the capacity to accommodate the runoff water during high tide, thus the result of flooding,” the authority further explained.

Given the situation, NDIA has recommended that the Mongrippa Creek undergo rehabilitation with the use of a long reach excavator. The authority said too that mini excavators should be used to clear the earthen roadside drains, while the culverts and concrete drains should be cleared manually.

Given the urgency of the situation, NDIA is currently examining its financial status to determine if it could offer much needed assistance to the Municipality of Bartica.

Meanwhile, the Mayor in an interview with Guyana Chronicle, said the NDIA’s report “vindicates” the council. Following the heavy down pour, a Regional Official had lashed out at the Municipality, saying that the flood was as a result of negligence due to the untimely opening of the koker.

Nevertheless, he said the Municipality has begun the desilting of the drains as it awaits assistance from NDIA in clearing the Mongrippa Creek/outfall.

“The Mayor and Councillors wish to assure residents that while we inherited very poor drainage networks, we will insure that the necessary corrective infrastructure measures are applied at the soonest. This in return will avoid the reoccurrence of September 11, 2016,” Marshall assured.

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