THREE pumps have already been installed and are operational less than 24 hours after National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer Frederick Flatts and team visited the flooded communities of Black Bush Polder to look at possible solutions for the 12,000-plus cattle trapped in the Cookrite Savannah due to overtopping of
the Canje Creek.

This was confirmed by Regional Vice-Chairman/Acting Chairman Dennis Deroop in an interview with this publication.
“Three pumps were installed last night. NDIA worked all night to ensure they were up and running by this morning. The region provided the fuel. These three pumps — one at Adventure and two at 52 Village – are working to bring the water out from the backlands to be drained at sea. We are moving the water into the irrigation canals and then to the drainage canals to be drained into the Atlantic, so very soon farmers will get relief.”

The Guyana Chronicle understands that these three additional pumps are To operate during the high tide period when the sluice doors are closed, in tandem with the other drainage pumps such as those stationed at Eversham and #43 village to allow more water to be drained in a shorter time period.

Additionally, two more pumps are expected in the region to aid in the alleviation of the flooded Cookrite Savannah.
This movement of water from the back to the front is necessary, since according to Deroop who is also the Chairman of the Works Committee for the region,” the situation is bordering [on] a state of emergency”.

Deroop further noted that the NDIA commenced repairs to the Number 66 double-door sluice which will drain water from the Manarabisi/Seaforth area bringing relief to farmers in the 52/74 area as well.

Deroop however noted that several rice farmers have been calling and visited his office on Friday morning to complain about cows grazing in their fields.

“Several farmers called and a few visited today and said the cattle owners are allowing their cows that are coming out from the backlands to graze in their rice fields and when they approach them, a confrontation begins with the cattle people and the rice farmers.”
Deroop explained that this was caused by the recent decision that the prime minister made, whereby he asked the stray catchers to pause until the situation gets better in the backlands.

“The cattle people misinterpreted the prime minister and it is causing a conflict with the people where they (cattle farmers) feel they can allow their cows to roam free and no one can tell them anything.”
At a meeting with the cattle farmers on Wednesday, the prime minister had instructed the REO to issue an advisory to all stray catchers to halt their operations immediately in light of the situation, since cattle farmers don’t have many options at this time. The PM continued
that the farmers however must put the safety of others first and not be callous in their actions and pose a risk to the lives of others by leaving their animals to roam freely on the main thoroughfares.

Unprecedented rainfall has caused the Canje Creek to overtop its banks flooding several riverine communities, farmlands as well as pastures.
According to the CEO of the NDIA, the current level of the Canje Creek is the highest is has been since 1960.
One of the most affected areas is Cookrite Creek, which is home to over 12,000 heads of cattle. Within the past week, cattle farmers told this publication they have lost approximately 100 million dollars’ worth in stock since over 1200 cattle died as a result of the flood.

The NDIA, Civil Defence Commission, the RDC and Water Users’ Association have been working around the clock for the past few days to bring relief to the farmers and residents in the area by installing several 30” HDPE tubes, fixing structures across the region, as well as cleaning and maintaining critical canals coupled with installation of additional pumps at outfalls, all in an effort to ensure the water drains as quickly as possible and bring much-needed relief to the farmers and residents.