–‘Agri’ Minister reassures residents of flood-hit Corentyne

By Nafeeza Yahya

“I WILL not only sit in the office and send instructions, as a
minister I plan to visit all areas that are affected. We are trying to
deliver from the manifesto and as the President reiterated yesterday,
that the PPP will be a government for all the people, for every
Guyanese,” were the words of newly appointed Minister of Agriculture the Hon.
Zulfikar Mustapha as he addressed residents and the media in his first
field visit.

The minister along with a high-level delegation, including Minister
of Local Government Nigel Dharmanlall; Chief Executive Officer,National
Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Fredrick Flatts and other senior officials
of the NDIA; Deputy CEO, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Dr.Dwight
Walrond; Region Six Chairman David Armogan and other regional officials
visited the flood-affected communities of #53/Union, #57 and # 58
villages in East Berbice-Corentyne on Sunday. The objective of the visit was to assess the damage
and find solutions that can bring immediate relief; it is also intended to devise a long-
term solution to prevent a recurrence of the flash floods that have left millions
of dollars in damage.

As part of the immediate solution, the minister explained that he has
already deployed three excavators to the area between Saturday and
Sunday, and also requested that another one join the three on
Monday to clear the canals.

“This is the largest NDC in the country and it seems that a lot of
canals need to be cleaned; residents are complaining that the RDC,
NDC,NDIA have not been cleaning these canals for years. What I
understood from the NDC [is that] they have been requesting the machines, the
excavator and the NDIA machines, but they have not been getting the
machines coming to the area. When I heard of it I instructed that our
engineer come to the areas and immediately two machines were
dispatched to the area.”

He continued that while there are several agencies with similar
responsibilities, they have not been working together and this has been
counter-productive which he intends to fix by having a committee with
representatives from each. To this end, a committee will be formed as
early as Monday.

“I have also asked that the NDIA,RDC,NDC and Water Users [Associations] form a
committee to look at sluice operators and the operators operating
these machines, so that we can have a collaborative effort with these
working entities. It seems there was a breakdown in communication
with these bodies; I will set up back these bodies in all these areas
so that they can work cohesively.”

Mustapha, who hails from Bloomfield on the Corentyne, is a former
Regional Chairman for Region Six and has a wealth of knowledge in the
operations and layouts of the various canals, sluices and pump stations
within the region. This gives him a unique advantage over his
predecessors.

During the visit he used the opportunity to check on the outfalls at
Adventure, Eversham, #43 and #52 villages. The outfalls he noted are
critical to drainage in the East Berbice region and he wanted a
first-hand look to put measures in place, so that a similar situation
is not repeated.

While meeting with the residents he listened to their concerns and has
asked that his team assess the claims made by the residents and
farmers, so that he can make a decision on how his ministry can assist.

While addressing the Latiffs who suffered millions of dollars in
damage after thousands of chickens perished in the floodwaters, the
minister said, “We have to get the report first and we will try to see
what we can help with; we will be also speaking with the CDC, but I am
optimistic that we will be able to give them some help, but I want to
see that report first and will then make the final decision.”

Cash-crop farmers,poultry farmers,rice farmers and residents were
affected after floodwaters in the wee hours of Saturday invaded their
respective quarters, thereby causing severe damage.

Meanwhile, residents of Number 53/Union who aired their concerns about
poor drainage were assured that immediate action will be taken.
The residents invited the minister and his team to witness firsthand
the impact of the flooding. As a result, a machine will be deployed to
begin clearing the canals.

“Within the 52/74 NDC there will be four machines that will be working
to alleviate the flooding. That will be able to clear the interlocking
drains and major canals, so that you will be able to get effective
drainage, so you won’t have a recurrence of this problem,” Mustapha said.

A resident of Number 53 Village, Ingrid Harvey, 63, said she is
thankful for the first-hand approach and the visit to the communit,
while noting that while many are affected it is important that
everyone works together to bring relief and assistance to the
communities.