– major  boost to D&I capacity in Mahaicony area
– thousands of residents, farmers to benefit
GOVERNMENT’S unwavering commitment to tangibly improve and enhance Guyana’s Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) capacity was given another major boost yesterday with the official commissioning of a three-door sluice and outfall channel at Retrieve, Mahaicony in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
The sluice and outfall channel, valued at approximately $166M, are very significant components of the D&I infrastructure in the region, particularly between the Mahaicony and Abary rivers.
The sluice, which was constructed parallel to the Mahaicony River, was commissioned by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
Addressing scores of beneficiary residents and farmers on site, Persaud alluded to the Government’s continued commitment to investing in D&I infrastructure across Guyana. This, he said, is reflective of the current administration’s proactive position in addressing major threats, especially those associated with the effects of climate change.
Acknowledging that there are several vulnerable communities along the Coast,  Persaud said the investments by government will continue to ensure that the eventualities of today and tomorrow are prepared for.
“We have to be alert…we are looking at several strategic interventions,” he declared.
He also observed that climate change has influenced the current erratic weather patterns and this has put a strain on Guyana, especially on the  agriculture sector. In this regard, minister Persaud assured the residents and farmers he spoke to yesterday that emphasis will continue to be placed on the realities that Guyanese face today.
One such reality is the La Nina phenomenon, which still persists and is expected to do so until the end of March.
Occurrences of extreme rainfall due to La Nina have influenced Guyana’s weather pattern, coupled with occasions of spring tides.
These occurrences have placed farmers in especially vulnerable areas along the coast, more so in the Mahaicony and Mahaica areas, under much strain having to deal with flood-like conditions.
Alluding to the changes in the weather pattern, Persaud recalled that during this time last year, farmers were faced with a drought and, this year, there is excessive rainfall.

With the Retrieve sluice and outfall, the Agriculture Minister said residents and farmers on the right bank of the Mahaicony River will have greater relief, since the capacity for drainage has increased.
The Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Authority (MMA/ADA) is responsible for drainage and irrigation in Region Five, which has some 34,000 acres of agriculture lands.
The new sluice is expected to boost the current efforts and reduce the strain on the Burma Main Drain, which was the main avenue for drainage works.
Also in Region Five, similar structures are expected to be placed at Cottage and at the right bank of the Abary River.
The Agriculture Minister also gave a commitment that no available resource or effort will be spared in ensuring that all systems are in place to protect Guyana’s vulnerable Coast.
“Climate change is here to stay and things will only get worse…every year, more and more is being done,” he bluntly stated.
Persaud also highlighted the government-initiated moves to have farmers educated so they can advance climate-smart agriculture, as well as being better aware of the advances in research and development, such as the development of a flood tolerant rice strain and improvements in animal husbandry practices.

RESPONSIBILITY

General Secretary of the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) Mr. Donald Ramotar, in his remarks at the simple but very important ceremony,  alluded  to Government’s unwavering commitment to development, and called for citizens to recognise their responsibility.
In particular, he stressed the need to stop the wanton and ‘criminal’ dumping of garbage and other materials, which compromise the waterways and the integrity of infrastructure.

Ramotar said citizens must police themselves and ensure that unwanted substances do not make their way into the waterways.

“I still don’t understand how, after the devastating flood (2005) that we went through, how people still dump a lot of garbage in our water ways. To me, that is practically criminal when you dump these things in these important waters that prevent the flow of water in a country like ours, where the coastland is substantially below sea-level; so it is very important that we start policing ourselves,”  Ramotar urged.

Noting that throughout the history of Guyana, it has always been a battle with the sea in front and the water behind, Ramotar said these interventions by the Government are another part of the country’s history in improving the conditions of the coast to make it not only habitable but productive and safe.

General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA), Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, added his bit and noted that the new sluice, which he described as ‘another major step for development’, will impact both residential areas and lands under cultivation.
“The RPA will always support investments in drainage and irrigation infrastructure,” Seeraj said.
He maintained that the investments being made are paying off, but acknowledged that there is more to be done.
Region Five Chairman Mr. Harrinarine Baldeo noted that significant work has been done in the Region and yesterday’s commissioning will bring great relief to the farming and residential areas.

Also present at yesterday’s ceremony were the Chairman of the MMA/ADA, Mr. Rudolph Gajraj; Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, and other stakeholders.
The general consensus among the farmers was that the sluice will indeed bring some relief to those areas that have been battling the waters from the sea as well as from the catchment areas aback residents and cultivation lands.