December rains…
– Rudolph Gajraj
THE Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) is satisfied about its state of preparedness to prevent or minimise flooding in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) from current La Nina weather conditions, saying that it is “on top of the situation”. “With respect to the coastal and residential areas in Region Five, I can say that we have upgraded our operations for any eventuality and we have been dealing with the situation fairly effectively and without any cause for concern up to now,” Chairman of the MMA/ADA Mr. Rudolph Gajraj has said.

“However, flooding in the backlands of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Rivers is the only eventuality which may pose some challenges,” he added.

Gajraj said the entity has empoldered many of the vulnerable riverine  areas, and emergency empoldering is still ongoing in some other areas, particularly the left bank of the Mahaicony river, with the aim of making riverine flooding less of a problem than in previous rainy seasons, and for protecting the farmers crops and animals.

Mr. Gajraj outlined measures being undertaken to protect farmlands and residential areas in the region from flooding during the current rainy season.

He said that with respect to the threat to coastal areas within Region Five, and MMA/ADA’s response, staff at the sluices have been doubled to ensure that the sluices are opened and closed at the right times, in order to maximise their efficiency.

“We have additional teams going during the nights to assist the sluice operators who have been given additional resources to ensure that they function effectively both during daylight and night hours,” he said.

According to a press release, Gajraj’s major concern at the moment is a breach on the sea dam at Brahn which is being attended to by the Ministry of Public Works. “This breach is overloading the drainage system significantly, apart from the salt water intrusion affecting the residents/farmers,” the release said.

“Generally all the MMA operation of sluices along the coast between the Mahaica and Berbice Rivers are in good order and operations are going as planned and the results are satisfactory,” the release quotes Gajraj as saying.

He disclosed that the community drainage and infrastructure workers who fall under the community drainage and infrastructure enhancement project, now being administered by the MMA/ADA in Region Five is another major resource which is being deployed to prevent flooding in residential areas.

“These workers number 248 men and women who are being managed by the MMA/ADA with effect from August 16 last. Their deployment and work have already been impacting favourably on the efficiency of the tertiary drainage systems in the residential areas,” said Gajraj.

With respect to the riverine areas, the MMA/ADA has constructed outfall channels, extended drainage canals, and constructed polders in several areas along the banks of the rivers, with the aim of effective flood control and drainage of these areas, the release said.

It noted that a major empoldering work by the MMA/ADA in the Biabu/Grasshook area is now nearing completion.
“The MMA/ADA has also recently completed constructing a major channel from Hyde Park to Retrieve, as an extension of the Mahaicony Façade drain into the lower end of the Mahaicony River. This channel leads to the new three door sluice at Retrieve, and would be operational shortly,” the release said.
Mr. Gajraj also stressed that the MMA will take serious action against persons who damage drainage and irrigation infrastructure and are inconsiderate of their fellow residents/farmers in their activities.