Dear Editor,

THE Ministries of Agriculture, Public Works and Infrastructure, and Local Government were praised for their emergency response to address the devastating flood that affected the country in recent weeks. This is according to the findings of an opinion poll conducted by this writer over the last couple of weeks for NACTA. Ministers Zulfikar Mustapha, Bishop Juan Edghill, Deodat Indar, and Nigel Dharamlall, among others, received praises from the public for their rapid action to mitigate the effects of the flood.  They were commended for taking actions to rescue and/or help victims, including livestock and farm products, providing various forms of relief. Other ministers, Members of Parliament, and regional chairs like Dr. Vindya Persaud, Priya Manickchand, Vickram Bharrat, Anil Nandlall, Joseph Hamilton, Mark Philips, Oneidge Waldron, Faizal Jaffarally, Vickchand Ramphal, David Armogan and Inshan Ayube, among others, also received kudos for touring affected areas and providing hamper relief, cleaning detergents, medical supplies, etc. And the public also notes the difference in the flood response between this and the preceding administration.

President Irfaan Ali and government ministers were lauded for touring various flood-hit areas, empathising with victims.  It was pointed out that the President and ministers used aircraft and rescue boats to reach out to flood victims in some isolated areas not accessible by roads that were covered with water. The ministers energetically visited flood-affected areas all over the country and were praised for giving out various forms of assistance including food hampers, clothing, and household items. The disaster management team responded quickly in emergency operations by coordinating activities. The public praised the team work of various ministries. Even critics of the government and supporters of the previous administration were loud in praise of the work of the line ministers and the overall government to mitigate effects of the flood. The public has been very pleased with the visits and assistance of the government, pointing out that the President Ali-led administration is far more responsive and helpful in addressing flooding than the preceding administration.

The public showered accolades on President Ali and Ministers Mustapha, Edghill, Indar, and Dharamlall, among others for visiting them during the flood situation and taking stock of their losses. People in flood-affected areas say they were pleased with the visits by the President and government ministers to check on and assess the damage caused by and interventions taken to mitigate the effects of the floods. Mustapha, Dharamlall, and Indar were in the forefront coordinating emergency response with rapid action, getting work done on the spot.
“They were on the ball” was how one respondent in Region Five put it. Several respondents on the coast stated: “Nigel, Indar, and ‘Zulfi’ really stood out for emergency infrastructure work. Dem dey with us giving help. Dem responded to every request.” Farmers note that Minister Mustapha was seen almost everywhere in flood-affected areas with strong connection on the ground interacting with them and offering various forms of assistance.

The ministry responded with a NDIA team, headed by Chairman, Lionel Wordsworth, who provided emergency equipment to clear blockages and manage the major conservancies as well as the Hope Canal and other waterways. The ministry was praised for its quick action that saved thousands of acres of rice cultivation. NDIA also contracted the private sector to assist with drainage. In rural areas, especially in Regions Five and Six, the public expressed gratitude to rice farmers for responding to calls by Ministry of Agriculture to drain flood waters on the land with makeshift methods using rice field pumps. The floods, caused by excessive rainfall and topping of banks of rivers and other waterways, led to billions of dollars in damage to homes and properties and infrastructure, and losses of crops and animals. Asked if government should provide assistance to the victims of flood, almost everyone answered in the affirmative. Respondents say it is a no brainer to help farmers get back on their feet to resume productivity. Agricultural issues and condition of roads, bridges and other infrastructure are among the leading problems the public listed as requiring urgent attention.  Assistance for agriculture and road rehabilitation tops the list of priorities of the public.

The public expressed strong support for the recent supplementary budget geared towards flood relief. Almost everyone polled feels that those who suffered losses caused by the floods should receive fair compensation and support from government to get them back into production. Flood victims have high expectation for relief to compensate them for losses.
The public also expressed their gratitude to US Ambassador, Sarah Lynch, and other diplomats for the assistance rendered to flood victims.
Overall, the public is satisfied with government’s response to the flood although some respondents feel that government should have prepared for the flood and take preventative measures. Some suggest that government consider building more canals and kokers, particularly in the Mahaica and Mahaicony areas.

Yours truly,

Dr. Vishnu Bisram