GEORGETOWN Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green toured the city on Thursday last to inspect drainage works being undertaken in preparation for the rainy season. He was accompanied by a team, including City Engineer Gregory Erskine, to various canals and outfall channels being cleared.
Green said the City Council is consistent with its statutory responsibility, to make available resources for desilting waterways, maintaining pumps and other activities to secure the drainage system.
He said, although those things are undertaken by the Council, there are still a number of challenges to face.
Green pointed out that the capital is 1.3 metres below sea level and is, therefore, drained at low tide by 11 outfall channels, supplemented by two electrical pumps at Liliendaal and Kitty, both of which were recently rehabilitated with Government assistance and five hydro-flow pumps.
He said, with rainfall in excess of two inches over a 24 hours period, even if the pumps are operable at their optimum, there would be the retention of water in parts of the city.
Green also charged that “monumental mistakes” were made by previous Administrations, both central and municipal, such as filling up the canals that were crucial to the effective drainage of the city.
“Even where we have desilted canals and other waterways, there is the factor of aggressive aquatic growth, worsened by the phenomenon of excessive use and disposal of plastic, styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials by citizens at all levels.
“We have cleared many trenches and, by the next day, they clog up, again. People need to realise the harm they are doing when they throw garbage in waterways. Not only does it clog the system and inhibit the flow of water but also has the potential of creating huge public health problems,” he stated.
Green added that the Council took the responsibility to spray some canals to prevent mosquito infestation but, when canals and trenches are cleaned and clogged  up within the next two to three weeks, additional money is required.
He said the Council is encouraging citizens to form themselves into community development groups and assist in keeping the city clean and cooperate to protect the drainage system.
The canals presently being cleared are along Vlissengen Road, between Crown and Lance Gibbs Streets; New Garden Street; Stanley Place; David Street; Middleton Street; Oronoque Street; Albert Street, Cummingsburg; Hadfield Street and Mandela Avenue.
Work has already been done along Church Street, Avenue of the Republic, Lamaha Street and part of Stanley Place.
Mr. Erskine estimates that, this year, the municipality would expend approximately $400M for the purpose.
He said 300 miles of drainage must be covered but, to date, only 16 miles have been completed.
Erskine explained that $1M is spent on one mile, for equipment and manual labour but the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is geared to meet the situation.