THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is unhappy with the works being carried out across Georgetown by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

A number of councillors at Monday’s statutory meeting at City Hall, voiced their disapproval with the approach NDIA officers have taken with regard to the cleaning of drains and other works.

“NDIA is doing a terrible job,” remarked A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor, John Van Veen, adding that the drains are being dug, but the waste material is being left right there on the parapets.

A visibly distraught Van Veen was urged by Mayor Ubraj Narine to make contact with City Engineer, Colvern Venture, about the issue, but the councillor responded that would be a waste of time.

Van Veen has long held the view that there is a serious disconnect between councillors and senior officers of the municipality, and that the former are often pushed around when they try to seek help from the latter.

Councillor Trichria Richards observed that there is a lot of work ongoing in the City, but councillors often do not know who to make contact with. “We are grateful for the work that NDIA is doing, but it doesn’t mean we have to accept whatever they do,” Richards stated, as she sought to ascertain who from the Engineer’s Department is representing the council.
Councillor Heston Bostwick similarly commented that the situation would have been much better if there was engineer’s supervision.

Some months ago, Cabinet had made a decision to allow greater collaboration between NDIA and the M&CC, and Engineer Venture had said he welcomed the support, which began earlier this year, especially in view of the municipality’s cash-strapped state.
Due to the council’s financial woes, Venture said his department is prevented from executing much drainage works in a timely fashion.

Georgetown was expected to experience less overtopping in several sections of the City from January 2019, as a result of the said collaboration.

Last November 5, a delegation from the City Council met with NDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frederick Flatts, to discuss how the drainage system can be improved to alleviate flooding. Flatts informed the meeting that from January 1, 2019, the NDIA was mandated by Cabinet to work in collaboration with the City Engineer’s Department to provide an improved service in the area of drainage.

He noted that the NDIA would be responsible for desilting and maintenance of all the main drainage canals in the City, including Downer, Young Street, Lamaha Street, Church Street, Avenue of the Republic and the Liliendaal canals.

While the council still has the main responsibility for desilting and cleaning street drains, alleyway drains, and other interlocking drains, Flatts said the NDIA will undertake to assist with the maintenance of the pumps and sluices.

With limited resources during 2017 and 2108, the council employed a community-based approach to clear drains in different sections of the city. These include Wortmanville, Lacytown, Bourda, Kitty, Newtown, Albouystown, Charlestown, Agricola and Mc Doom.