THE Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has noted some misleading and confusing statements issued by region administration regarding the damage koker door it seems as the Regional Administration is more interested in covering up and distracting from its inability to properly manage this facility. The fact is, the operation and maintenance of the Garden of Eden koker is the responsibility of the Regional Administration and rather than accepting its negligence and poor management of the infrastructure, has chosen to be involved in a “blame game” or “Duck for cover” situation.
The NDIA wishes to inform the general public that this particular koker door was recently repaired (Five (5) months ago) by the Regional Administration but for some reason did not act in remedying the structural defects nor formally advising the NDIA of its condition. Residents and officials who were at the scene of the breaking koker door could attest to this fact.
With regard to the Region claiming that the NDIA was informed about the nature of the defective door, columns and base slab, this is untrue since the Regional engineer never disclosed this fact to the NDIA as they are now claiming. In addition, at no time a formal representation was made by the region at the NDIA Board level even though the Regional Chairman, Mr. Corlette is a director on the NDIA board.
The Regional Administration seems to be dodging its responsibilities in light of such a sensitive situation, when it should be supporting the current works to remedy the structure and safeguard the area from being affected by flood waters. It would seem that it is this very same Regional Administration, who claims that the “Ministry….has a license to usurp the functions and responsibilities of Regional elected governments in Guyana” wants the very Ministry to usurp its functions by repairing this structure.  However, the RDC is seeking this very Ministry to take responsibility when the situation is bad by promptly crafting a press statement, perhaps, it should have demonstrated the same level of response last evening.
In the interest of farmers and residents and to fulfill its mandate in providing proper drainage and irrigation services, the NDIA immediately responded to remedy the situation even if it meant usurping some of the functions of local government. The rehabilitation of the Kitty and Liliendaal pumps is a good example of government stepping in rather than allowing a disastrous situation to continue.
The NDIA has been advised by Ministry of Agriculture and Local Government to look at the situation closely and to examine the works previously done on the structure and related activities.
The NDIA is happy to learn that the Ministry of Local Government will be launching an investigation of poor management of this facility now being the latest episode.
The NDIA remains focused on carrying out its current and capital programme for 2010 and other urgent works for the current rainy season.

Corporate Secretary, NDIA