– Most inundated areas now ‘dry’
– Agri. Minister says
FLOODWATERS accumulating across several communities in Linden, Region 10 directly resulted from the failure to maintain drainage systems by the local Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.
“We have mobilised a number of machinery in Linden to help desilt some of the canals…some of those drainage systems were the responsibility of the RDC and municipality,” the Agriculture Minister told reporters during a media briefing at his Georgetown office on Wednesday.
Mustapha revealed that just about four and a half inches of rainfall was recorded in the region and, according to him this was ‘unusual rainfall’.
However, improper maintenance of the drainage systems in the region saw water accumulate.
“As a result of their failure to clean those drains on time, they had those excessive water accumulated and people were flooded out.”
“This brings us again to the issue where the local authority, the local body failed to maintain the system,” he added.
According to the Minister, the main canals in the area that are maintained by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) were cleaned.
He noted further that most of the areas that were inundated are now ‘dry’.
Meanwhile, the minister urged residents to refrain from disposing garbage in drainage and irrigation systems and charged all local authorities and municipalities to continue maintenance of major drainage systems in their respective areas.
Last evening, the ministry disclosed that multi-agency response was activated.
This was an immediate response to flood reports in the region following heavy rainfall.
NDIA engaged private contractors to clean and clear the drains to facilitate better water flow and reduce flooding, the ministry said in a statement.
Additionally, Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) provided crucial support with equipment to assist in the drainage and cleanup operations.
Meanwhile, in Georgetown, systems have been put in place to manage drainage systems to avoid severe flooding.
“We are working around the clock to work with every stakeholder to maintain a system in place to date. We have 12 pumps that are functional in Georgetown, I have assigned three engineers full time on a 24hr basis to monitor the system in Georgetown to ensure sluices are open on time and pumps are functioning. We are also servicing these pumps in terms of if they have a mechanical failure,” Mustapha explained.
Additionally, the ministry has collaborated with residents to ensure that internal drains are maintained and clean.
The ministry, he stressed, has been working around the clock to limit flooding during the country’s May/June rainy season.
