FARMERS and residents on Wakenaam island in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) met to discuss drainage and irrigation issues with Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Ali Baksh; Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth; and a team from the NDIA on Saturday at a meeting held at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s office at Sans Souci. There, Baksh reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining the livelihoods of Wakenaam residents, particularly since the island is an important part of the country’s agricultural belt.
“Government will continue to support transformation of the agricultural sector across the country and in this area, which has shown an increase in food production over the years,” Minister Baksh said.
He also explained that the island has benefited, and will continue to benefit, from major drainage and irrigation development works, which are included in the work programme and have resulted in a large amount of land being opened up for agricultural use.
The minister, additionally, pointed to the benefits of the pontoon and the excavator recently sent to Region 3 following a request made to former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Alluding to the nature of works carried out, Baksh stated: “We had a meeting with the residents, the NDC and D&I (drainage & irrigation) officials, and everyone made the request for a pontoon and an excavator. Within 24 hours, it was here, because there was a blocking up of the sluices. Works are ongoing in several areas on the island. We have cleared 30,000 rods, amounting to about $300M. This work will certainly continue, and I am certain that people are satisfied (that) more lands are now available because of better drainage and irrigation on the island.”
The Agriculture Minister reminded residents that government was constantly looking at other interventions and methods to improve the drainage system, while at the same time grappling with the effects of climate change.
He  declared that effective D&I requires a national effort, and in this regard called on the residents and farmers alike to cooperate to make the most of the drainage and irrigation programme being implemented there, particularly during the rainy season.
He expressed satisfaction at the progress of work currently underway, which he said was executed in a timely manner to the benefit of all concerned.
“This is a very costly exercise, as there is accretion (buildup of silt) taking place all over Guyana; and I understand this will be the cycle for a long period of time. The ministry is trying to provide the excavators and pontoons. We have already ordered more, and we hope to leave one permanently in the region to avoid flooding and the effects of climate change,” Baksh added.

Benefits
Several farmers present expressed gratitude for the intervention, which has served to protect the integrity of close to 5,000 acres of rice lands under cultivation in Wakenaam.
“We have not seen good drainage like this in over 20 years. In addition to that, we now have areas of land opening up to expand our crops,” Tom Singh, a farmer explained.
The pontoon and excavator recently sent to the region are being used to maintain and rehabilitate drainage and irrigation structures in Region Three.
In highlighting the overall benefits of the equipment, NDIA CEO Lionel Wordsworth said: “The pontoon and excavator have a tremendous amount of work; in excess of 30,000 rods of rehabilitation of canals and drains have been completed. We have also assisted some farmers to complete 1,100 rods of work, as we go through the programme, there are times when the farmers will have requests which (will be) examined and the necessary works facilitated,” he explained.
Wordsworth acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, but assured that the work programme would continue, as the machines are still stationed on the island.
During the meeting, those present acknowledged the government’s interventions and expressed the need to see improved delivery of the D&I efforts.
Baksh visited several other areas on the island, including Belle Plaine and Good Success, to observe the current dredging of the kokers and outfalls.