FLOOD waters causing millions of dollars in losses to farmers of De Buff Village and Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, are beginning to recede.
Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber made this disclosure yesterday during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, wherein he gave an update on the flooding situation in various sections of the region. According to Faerber, although the waters are beginning to abate, there are still certain sections in low-lying areas which are still inundated, and which are proving difficult to drain.
“There are certain parts that are like basins because of the high water table, so it is not practical for (them) to be drained,” he said.
The farmers in the affected areas have suffered great losses of livestock and crops after more than a week of incessant rainfall, and are casting the blame on regional authorities for failing to maintain the drainage systems.
The Regional Chairman, in response, pointed out that maintenance of both canals comes under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, and he maintained that officials there were informed about the condition of the canals prior to the holiday season.
The Ministry of Agriculture has since deployed field officers to visit the farmlands, and those are currently assessing the situation on the ground. Moreover, a contractor has been engaged to clear the weeds in the canals, and an excavator has been deployed to the area, Faerber added.
Faerber also noted that, contrary to reports in the Stabroek News which suggest that he did not visit the area during the flooding, he has paid several visits to monitor the situation.
In explaining, he said, “I did pay several visits during the entire holiday period. I went down to areas in Canal No 1 Polder and Canal No 2 Polder on Boxing Day, (when) I was monitoring the situation, and I did make a report to the Ministry of Agriculture. There was nothing much that could (have been) done at that point, since it is the task of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority to maintain the canal.”
As to the claim that the pump located at Stanleytown was not functioning at the time, the Region Three Chairman emphasized that the regional administration is aware that the pump is in working condition, though it is only in operation when the sluice gate is closed.
“I wish to point out also that regular checks were made during the rainy period, both by me and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture,” he stated.
According to him, a full assessment of the losses incurred by the farmers will be made, once the waters have receded, as extension officers of the Agriculture Ministry were in the area visiting plots to determine the extent of damage.
The farmers in the area are demanding that the relevant authorities take immediate action, and compensate them fully for the losses they have incurred.
Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Alli Baksh, announced last week that he would be visiting the area. However, that visit was subsequently cancelled.
As to the reason for this cancellation, Minister Baksh explained yesterday during a telephone interview that his presence was, at that time, required on the East Coast of Demerara, where another emergency situation had arisen.
Despite this, he emphasized, other ministry officials had visited the area, and continue to do so very frequently as they continue to monitor the situation.