— after more than 25 years of poor drainage

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

FARMERS of Lightown Village, East Bank Berbice, who, for the past 25 years saw their crops being destroyed by flooding, are optimistic that works to the tune of $8.3M to clear 11,132 square metres of crown canals, will being an end to their plight.

During a visit to the community which is approximately 20 miles from the New Amsterdam township, Member of Parliament, Barbara Pilgrim, who was in the area, met with scores of residents.

Faye Chisolm, a neighbourhood democratic councilor, was in high praise of the Regional Democratic Council which carried out the work.
“Over 25 years, the 160 residents have been pleading but no one cared or heard… we are so happy. We can now extend our farming plots,” Chisolm said.

Currently persons have commenced clearing some 800 acres of land in the backlands so as to increase cash, ground provisions and permanent crops.

Cattle and citrus farmer, Indar Seeram, agreed that the community was neglected for years and as a result, especially in the dry weather, his cattle and crops suffered because of insufficient water.

“We experienced so many losses that I lost count. I love the land. I try not to get ‘bruk mind’ despite the constant flooding during the rainfall. Sometimes after putting all effort into planting and just before harvest the rain come and because of poor drainage, there is flooding and we lose everything,” he said.

Another farmer, Carlos Chisolm, had always been vocal about the need of having the crown canal cleared. He opined that with the clearance, the water would recede faster and the crops would not be destroyed.

According to him, two years ago, a contractor was assigned to clear the canals, but “he was an inexperienced person who rented machinery. Further, three machines were sent but none were operational… as a result, the work was halted. But the current contractor, Peter Lewis of Associated Construction Service, is doing an excellent job. He is adhering to the bill of quantities and we are pleased,” he said.

Further, with the cutting and removal of vegetation, both large and small from side slopes, embarkment and canals, the dams have also been reconstructed, giving persons easier access to the 800 acres backlands for further cultivation and cattle rearing.