WE see time and again the ever increasing effects of climate change on the world and how it affects countries, destroying infrastructure, killing crops and people and causing so much destruction that we cannot begin to imagine in our small country. Although Guyana has not been affected so drastically by these changes in the weather patterns, the El Nino Phenomenon has been taking its toll on residents and farmers alike. We see the drying canals and the struggle to conserve and despite being a small developing country, Government has been investing significant sums to ensure that necessary resources are available to lessen the effects throughout the country.
Through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) much work has been done including the pumping of water from many creeks into drainage canals to ensure that farmers have an adequate supply. Excavators were dispatched to strategic locations to provide relief to farmers while portable water tanks were provided to service areas where there is a shortage of water. Funds were also allocated for planting materials, fertilisers for cash crop farmers.
Government also indicated that the full scale effort may even have to include digging wells for some communities to reduce the high cost incurred to transport water. Citizens have also been urged to conserve to ensure that they would have water in coming days as the phenomenon continues to affect the country.
Given the changes in the weather pattern and its effects, I think the government has been doing a good job in keeping the negative effects to a minimum, allowing residents to continue their daily chores and lives at a somewhat comfortable pace.