THE Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has announced that wells are likely to be developed in the short-term, in the most affected communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), as drought-like conditions continue in those areas. This was revealed in a statement yesterday by the Ministry, which noted that several deliberations on the ongoing crisis in these areas have resulted in the crafting of some plans. The participating bodies included the Ministries of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Communities, and Natural Resources, the Guyana Water Inc., and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Among the ideas emerging from these discussions, was the development of wells to serve in the short term, given the extremely limited access to water presently in that region. Once this idea has been comprehensively examined, the Ministry noted, then it is expected that work will commence as early as next Monday.
“These interventions are geared towards supporting the efforts already being undertaken by the Guyana International Mission, the Regional Administration of Region nine and the Civil Defence Commission with the support of the residents of Region nine” the statement said.
And while the El Nino-like weather patterns are expected to continue until the end of June, 2016, the interventions, according to the ministry, are critical to the residents of this region. “The stakeholders are committed to the task at hand and the sense of urgency regarding the implementation thereof,” the ministry said.
On 10th Feb, 2016 Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock hosted another series of conversations targeting immediate interventions aimed at mitigating the crisis. This had succeeded several discussions where stakeholders were exploring possible remedies for the ongoing crisis. Recently the Ministry had announced that there has been little or no rainfall in the Rupununi over the last sixteen weeks. “Ponds have dried up and shallow hand dug wells are low on water, while some have gone dry. In some places the rivers have also dried up due to the scorching heat and zero rainfall,” an earlier statement from the Ministry said.
The Deep-South villages of Shea, Aishalton, Karaudarnauwa and Achawib were said to have been carefully monitoring their agricultural crops, while the Village leaders have placed priority on the health and education sectors, in terms of the water distribution plan. In the South Pakaraimas, Yorong Peru, Paipang, Taushida, Tiger Pond and Rukumuta are experiencing extreme difficulties as a result of the prolonged dry season. These communities, the Ministry had said, are currently receiving support from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the village of Karasabai. It was revealed that water is being transported in tanks from Karasabai with the assistance from the CDC.
But in the North Rupununi, the situation is somewhat more favourable since the Rupununi River still has a fair level of water. However, at Rewa and Crash Water Crossings, the water has dried up. And according to the Ministry, in the North Rupununi, as in the Deep-South, the Health and Education sectors are being given priority in the water distribution plan.
Meanwhile, the South Central area has been without rainfall for at least thirteen weeks. It was noted that the Rupununi River in this area has partially dried up. As such, the Villages of Baitoon and Shulinab are carefully monitoring the water levels in their wells. River water is being used to supplement the scarce well water. However, in the Central Rupununi district, the situation is also somewhat favourable. Although low, water levels in the wells are still adequate for the Village needs. But, according to the Ministry, the threat to agricultural crops is worrying. The Villages of Nappi, Kumu, Moco Moco, Simonie, Marcanata continue to ration their water supplies. The Kumu and Moco-Moco creeks were also said to be drying up at a fast pace, while the Kumu falls has already run dry.