IT IS unfortunate that when someone in authority or the government appears to have made a blunder or something goes wrong, there is a barrage of criticisms, blame throwing and attacks, especially from certain quarters. Some criticism may be justified but more often than not, in Guyana, most are unfair and unjustified as no proper investigations are carried out and conclusions are hastily arrived at, particularly if they serve the political agenda of the propagators.
On the other hand, when something commendable or progressive is done, there is a deafening silence and not a word of praise or acknowledgement of the good deed(s).
The result is a lopsided view and consequently most people see only the negatives and are blind to the positives.
This approach is harmful and could subvert progress and cohesion within the society because those who perform well could become demotivated since it is only human to be disappointed when one receives scathing criticisms when things go wrong but totally ignored when one performs well.
A recent example of this is the absence of acknowledgement of the work of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which has resulted in minimal flooding despite continuous heavy and unseasonal rainfall.
Had there been widespread and serious flooding there would have been loud screams and scathing attacks daily on those responsible for the drainage system.
However, any fair-minded and objective person would agree that because of the massive work on the drainage systems – both primary and secondary – there has been virtually no flooding and where this occurred it was unavoidable because of excessive rainfall and the drainage capacity just could not have coped. This has gone largely unnoticed.
Explaining the reason for successfully meeting the challenges posed by the heavy rainfall, NDIA National Coordinator Visham Budhoo said workers on the job are better equipped and are functioning in an effective manner to minimise the impacts of La Nina weather conditions.
He told this newspaper that $580M was budgeted for this year and, in the preparation for the rains, about 910 miles of drains are cleared every month.
Mr. Budhoo also reported that, to date, drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems in 54 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), four municipalities and 46 other areas have been improved.
The Community Drainge and Irrigation Programme (CDIP) is underway in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).
According to Mr. Budhoo, the CDIP has some 2,800 workers, the most, 425, in Region 10.
He said they have 2,563 cutlasses, a similar number of files, 512 rakes, 2,694 pairs of long boots, 205 shovels, 35 spades, 10 wheelbarrows and two chainsaws, all acquired this year.
Another contributory factor too has been the laudable initiative of all-year round maintenance of drainage systems instead of doing this only at certain times of the year. This is a forward step and should be sustained.
However, Mr. Budhoo conceded that the burning problem of improper disposal of garbage, which has been plaguing the drainage system for a long time, has been posing a severe challenge and it is time that this is firmly dealt with.
The authorites have to be uncompromising and vigorous in policing garbage disposal and deal with those guilty of improper waste disposal practices.
They have been too lax on this grave malpractice for too long and the monster is now causing enormous problems.
Proper garbage collection and disposal facilities have to be put in place and a special garbage monitoring unit empowered to enforce the littering laws and regulations and ensure that people dispose of garbage in the prescribed and appropriate manner.
This unit must only be responsible for this and nothing else because the problem has become a huge one and is getting worse daily.
Corrective action is needed now.