…to keep La Nina effects at bay
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, has made it clear that, in coping with La Nina, drainage and irrigations systems must work.
And he stressed that drainage and irrigation workers must work in a more effective manner.
He made these remarks yesterday during a meeting at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Complex in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara).
The Minister was accompanied by a team of technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and engaged Community Drainage and Irrigation Project (CDIP) workers, sugar workers and other stakeholders.
Persaud stated that the commitment of workers is essential; they need to put in the hours and support the national drainage and irrigation programme and make the system work.
He explained that the central National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has a responsibility for the primary drainage and irrigation systems, while the Regional Administrations and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) address the secondary systems.
However, Persaud pointed out that there has been considerably good work done, though the Regional Administrations and the NDCs need to step up their efforts, “if we are to cope with the unprecedented weather patterns.”
“The situation will not improve favourably,” he said, referring to the weather patterns caused by the climate change phenomenon.
He noted that Guyana has made moves to adapt to climate change, including improvements in infrastructure and the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP).
Relative to drainage and irrigation, the Agriculture Minister said systems have been rehabilitated, old kokers have been reactivated, additional pumps have been put in place, and the human resource capacity has been increased, among other moves.
Despite these advances, Persaud acknowledged that there are challenges.
He stated that drainage and irrigation systems designed to deal with two inches of rainfall in a day are now being tested by rainfall that measures some five inches in a day.
Additionally, Persaud noted that negligence on the part of those charged with specific duties, such as opening kokers at a particular time, affects whole communities.
“The system has to work and people in charge must ensure that this happens,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders present for the meeting to be agents of change and report negligence to the relevant authorities to effect the necessary changes.
Persaud stated clearly that unless each person in the sector does what he or she is supposed to do, the response to climate change and the management of crops will not be what it is supposed to be.
According to him, there will be zero tolerance for those who neglect their responsibilities, since the ‘big-stick’ approach seems to bring about compliance.
He stated too that individuals who do not fulfill their duties diminish the returns on significant investments made by the government.
The Minister, outlining his concerns, maintained that drainage and irrigation workers are tasked with minimising the negative impacts of inclement weather conditions and, by extension, climate change.

Concerns

The CDIP workers and other stakeholders raised concerns of their own, foremost of which was the non-compliance by residents who dump garbage and clog the waterways.
The stakeholders suggested that there is need for wider public awareness on garbage disposal and also for more garbage disposal facilities at strategic locations.
Also raised was the issue of the size of workforces and the stakeholders agreed that a workforce of five men is too small to deal with a 25 mile stretch.
Another concern was the needs of the drainage and irrigation workers who deal with “filth” and “conditions people don’t want to deal with”.
The workers called for better medical attention and an added incentive to the current $15,000 they receive for four hours of work five days a week.
In response, the Agriculture Minister stated that the CDIP is not a replacement for the workers main source of income, rather it supplements that.
However, he assured of support for protective gear, tools and first aid kits, which would go to foremen who will be trained in first aid delivery.
Persaud said the CDIP will be continuously reviewed and consistently improved to ensure that the stakeholders’ needs are addressed.
According to him, Guyana is poised for further advancements and it will take the contributions of every stakeholder to realise the vision of growth, development and improvement in the standard of living for Guyanese people.
The National Coordinator of Drainage and Irrigation Projects, Visham Budhoo, reiterated this sentiment.
According to him three things are a must:
•    Work must be up-to-date with the requisite standards;
•    There must be respect for punctuality, particularly since appraisals are expected to be done; and
•    Professional conduct must be maintained.
“These are key to what we do,” he said.
Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber was also in attendance and, in adding his bit, he said his region has undertaken several initiatives to ensure that La Nina does not impact the Region adversely.
He pointed out that to date workers have dealt with the clearing of over 100  trenches and water ways, some done once a month and others twice a month; and excavations works have been done, with nine excavators in the region to assist works.
“This is all being done to ensure that all systems function effectively,” Faerber said.
La Nina effects are expected to last until February 2011.