ONCE again, efforts are being made by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) to discredit the government for their efforts to safeguard the livelihood of thousands of farmers of Mahaica/Mahaicony Creek and also households, businesses and other investment along the East Coast from mass flooding by constructing the Hope Relief Channel. The recent statement by the GHRA should be condemned by all civil-minded Guyanese, the private sector and other non-governmental organisation for the GHRA is, in fact, violating the rights of all those that will benefit from the construction of the Hope Channel.

Specifically, farmers of Joe Hook and Grass Hook, Mahaica Creek were advised to seek alternative land due to the vulnerability of the area which has been declared unsuitable for farming due to the effects of climate change.

Some of us once farmed and earned a decent living in the communities of Joe Hook and Grass Hook for more than 25 years, but had to make a decision to remain and suffer at the helms of climate change or take preventative action and continue with our lives.

I am sure that GHRA would recall the floods that Mahaica Creek experienced due to the heavy rains in the past where Joe Hook and Grass Hook were most vulnerable.

Hence, government has declared the area unfit for agricultural activities and has since supported farmers to be relocated at Hope on the East Coast of Demerara and elsewhere. Those who chose to remain and cultivate do so at their own risk as the areas will continually flood due to increasing effects of climate change.

The GHRA did not represent the rights of farmers/residents who were suffering then due to heavy rainfall, so why are they now speaking out.
Notwithstanding, we would like to urge the GHRA to re-examine its assumptions and to be more updated on developments that are taking place in Guyana.

It seems like this organisation has been sleeping and only now realise that the construction of this canal has commenced after much technical and informative consultations with all stakeholders.

As the GHRA continues to paint a grim picture and impartial representation of issues affecting farmers, the facts cannot be hidden. We would like to express our appreciation to the government and its agencies to forge ahead with this project and not be distracted by the baseless allegations the GHRA.