–after koker door fails during high-tide period

TO mitigate the impact of flooding in communities within the Evergreen/Paradise Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the Ministry of Agriculture has installed stop logs at the Andrews sluice, which became defective after the structure’s wooden door caved as a result of above-normal high tides on Thursday.

As a result of that issue, approximately 70 acres of rice lands and 25 households in the communities were affected by flooding.
After receiving reports of the incident, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, instructed the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to mobilise resources to remedy the situation.

The NDIA was able to mobilise the necessary materials and equipment to stop the intrusion of sea water. Stop logs have since been installed in place of the failed koker door, while floodwaters are being pumped out of the system and diverted from the affected areas into the Westbury sluice.
Two engineers from the NDIA and other regional officials are also on site monitoring the situation to ensure further instances of flooding do not occur.

Minister Mustapha also indicated that the stop logs will be in place at the structure until the NDIA is able to fabricate a new stainless-steel metal door to replace the damaged wooden door.

The minister further said that the NDIA has already commenced the process to have the door replaced, which, he added, will be done in the shortest possible time.

(DPI)