Sea dam being created to reduce flooding and bring relief to farmers

DOOKALBO Island is one of 365 islands on the Essequibo River and it is a twin island, the smaller of which is uninhabited.

The larger Dookalbo Island is home to members of an extended family of eight: farmers, fishermen, and they also rear livestock to earn.

There is no water supply, electricity, school, health facility or buildings, except for a few houses on this island.

The island’s people are friendly and welcoming and seem to be happy with the little they have and do not wish to be relocated, since they prefer the lifestyle of solitude.

The Pepperpot Magazine met a group of residents who had gathered at the home of Buddy Singh.

He is the father of three and has been living on the island for the past 24 years. Singh is a farmer, but the recent spring tide caused flooding on the island, and he has lost some livestock.

As a result of constant flooding on the island, a sea dam is being created, since they have no internal drains and the locals are very pleased about this development by the current administration.

It is the first time ever that the equipment is on the island excavating until the sea dam is fully completed.

Singh told the Pepperpot Magazine that the wine crops do not survive in flood waters when the spring tide comes up on the island.

The 52-year-old added that he would usually have a crop of ground provisions, but with the intervention of the sea dam, it will be easier to access the farmland and also bring relief to them in terms of farming.

Singh disclosed that 1300 rods of sea dam have been created so far, and it is a form of development they welcome on the island where they have had little to none.

He also hopes that they will benefit from solar lights and other infrastructural works to improve their lives.

To offset living expenses, Singh related that he and his son are also poultry farmers and they have a few cows and sheep on the island.

Singh told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is from Hogg Island, but relocated to Dookalbo Island at his father’s place after he passed away.

Dookalbo Island (Delano Williams photos)

He is among the first settlers on the island and began clearing the land and farming to bring in an income to his household.

Singh reported that he would plant ground provisions, banana, plantains and watermelons and the produce are transported via boat to the Hubu Koker to be sold to buyers.

On his side of the island, there are five houses with families; on the other side, there are three houses, making it eight families.

The nearest school and health centre is at Fort Island, about 20 minutes boat ride away.

“At this point in the Essequibo River, the water is mostly rough and unpredictable, so it is difficult to travel, but we take a chance when we have to go out,” he said.

The farmer noted that if they can get a well for clean, drinking water, it would be good for them and they have small solar panels just to power a few bulbs.

They do not have the luxury of flushable toilets and would like to have at least one on the island for the children to use.

There is no drinking water except when they buy or use rainwater and in the dry season, it is difficult to source fresh water for drinking.

“I am trying with what we have and we make do and if we get a small help, we will be glad, since we don’t get any visitors,” he said.

Singh related that life has been trying; since the pandemic things have been a bit slow and with the constant rainfall and high tides, they have been unable to get a good catch of fish to sell.

The sea dam being constructed on the island

He explained that the island was once populated, but a lot of people left because they wanted their children to attend good schools and the cost of living is expensive with the rising costs of food items and fuel.

“I came here for a better life and as a man with no proper education and being poor I had to make it work. Being a father of two I had to do things to earn to support my home,” he said.

Singh added that he has nine grandchildren and their way of life is very humble and they are hardworking, simple people.