Please allow me to comment on Stabroek News’ December 14 headline “West Berbice farmers lose millions in crops – after sea defence”. On page 8 where the article commences, an added headline purports that the farmers have accused the MMA/ ADA of neglect.” As to whether these were the farmers’ words or those of the Stabroek News’ we are not sure.
Either way, the normal expectation is that the editor, or the by-lined reporter, would have checked with the MMA about the matter. But then again, it just might have been their scheme of things to do so; MMA, and it would appear the Ministry of Agriculture also, are good game for these negative stories. Even the usual dubious inclusion of “efforts to contact the MMA were unsuccessful” was not included; that we suspect however is because they have all our contact numbers as we advertise with them, and the reporter lives near to the MMA.
For the record, the following are the facts relating to the matter:
Sea defence works are the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) and not the Ministry of Agriculture or the MMA. However, since as in this extant case, agricultural activity is affected, it is prudent to co-operate and give assistance to our counterparts of the MoPW in the execution of their work, as we have been doing. When the first signs of this problem surfaced in September, MMA and the Ministry of Agriculture alerted the MoPW of our concerns. Following interactions between our minister (of Agriculture) and his counterpart at Public Works, a contractor BK Int. was engaged to work in the area. Around October 14th they reported completion of the first set of works and as a result, the intrusion of the salt water into our drainage system had stopped.
But the Spring tides in early November again caused some damage to the area. Again, through our Minister, we engaged them; they did more work and at a meeting at Kingeley on November 13th, they reported that the situation was again brought under control.
Unfortunately, the December Spring tides again caused some difficulties for them requiring further work which they have been doing over the last week.
The last set of information being related from them to me is that they have brought the situation under control again.
As to the issue of neglect by the MMA, we would like to state categorically that this is not so. We kept the residents and farmers abreast of the situation at all times through the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension staff in the Region, and their farmers union (GAPA) and we are aware that they were alerting those farmers who were likely to be affected. The MMA Chairman, in a recent release which was given wide publicity (including Stabroek News) even referred to the issue as our major concern. On top of that, one can imagine the extra work that we have been doing to the affected areas and draining the system.
Finally, in fairness to the MoPW , we must indicate that the current problem area – Brahn to No. 40 Village – is a very high risk area that has had major problems before, when the entire dam had to be retired. As for the farmers claiming losses, over several days ago and long before your publication, the farmers received help from the Ministry of Agriculture which offers were constantly advising and assisting the affected farmers.