ALLOW me to respond to a Lall Kumar Ramsingh’s letter in the Kaieteur News “Gov’t continues to reduce the MMA farmers to beggars,” dated January 7, 2009.

I think that this writer is completely ignorant of the efforts that government has been undertaking to relieve the residents and in particular farmers.

It is utter nonsense for the writer to make such a hasty generalisation on the issue which is misleading and totally erroneous. Let me first start by saying that millions of dollars have been spent to develop the Mahaica/Mahaicony and Abary areas as main cultivation areas in the country.

My question for Mr. Ramsingh is, why then on earth would the administration not be conscious of the farmers’ concerns and needs?

More recently, President Bharrat Jagdeo visited the MMA areas to assess farmers’ needs and the situation. The President committed $3B to construct a new outlet from the conservancy to ease the build up of water, in addition to all the other works that are ongoing.

Let me remind Mr. Ramsingh that the rains, floods and other catastrophes are not caused by government, but because of changes in atmospheric conditions which neither me, nor you can prevent. The drainage system in Guyana was designed to take off a certain amount of water (1.5-2 inches).

I would suggest to Mr. Ramsingh that instead of being critical he should propose recommendations to better the situation.

What can be done is being done. It is no doubt that significant sums have been spent to improve the drainage system in the country, especially in the most vulnerable areas. We would have seen major works undertaken at the East Demerara Conservancy and other major drainage and irrigation structures across the country. At present the dams are being fortified.

I think it is very important that persons understand that the rainfall experienced at present is more than that was experienced in 2005. Despite this, we haven’t been severely impacted as compared to 2005. This was possible because of the interventions made to ensure that Guyanese don’t have to suffer.

All these are measures taken to ensure that residents of the MMA and other areas will not be as adversely affected. Mr. Ramsingh it is only fair to appreciate what is being done and make recommendations as to what else can be done to improve the situation.
LILLIAN GEORGE