NATIONAL Coordinator of the Community Drainage and Irrigation Project (CDIP), Mr. Visham Budhoo said, Wednesday, that the workers on the job are better equipped and are currently functioning in an effective manner to minimise the impacts of La Nina weather conditions. He told the Guyana Chronicle, a total of $580M was budgeted for this year and, in the preparation for the rain, approximately 910 miles of drains are cleared every month.

Budhoo reported that, to date, drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems in 54 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), four municipalities and 46 other areas have been improved.
The CDIP is underway in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).
According to Budhoo, the CDIP has some 2,800 workers, the most, 425 in Region Ten.
He said they have 2,563 cutlasses, a similar number of files, 512 rakes, 2,694 pairs of long boots, 205 shovels, 35 spades, 10 wheelbarrows and two chainsaws, all acquired this year.
Budhoo said the workers will soon get first aid kits, which will be distributed to the foremen or forewomen, who would be trained in administering such treatment.
“The regional coordinators are also mobile. They have new motorcycles and are responsible for checking structures, including the culverts and sluices and conducting assessments,” he said.
Budhoo said the foremen or forewomen in the regions are responsible for monitoring the D&I structures and ensuring they are effective.
“The foremen or forewomen communicate to the regional coordinators, to deliver proper feedback on the work done,” he explained.

CHALLENGES
However, Budhoo admitted that, to move the CDIP forward, is not without challenges, primary among them is the irresponsible disposal of garbage by people in the respective locations.
“We could have just cleaned one drain and then someone comes and dumps garbage there,” he said.
Still, the CDIP is working in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to arrest the situation, Budhoo stated.
“We are trying to ensure that those responsible for the improper disposal are held accountable.”
He said the CDIP addresses secondary D&I channels, which are important and must be maintained.
It also encourages sustainable management of the D&I systems in communities, because it assures the upkeep and maintenance at the tertiary and community levels.
Critical internal canals are being kept clear to allow for the free flow of water when heavy rain falls.
La Nina is above average rainfall in an area for a particular period of time and is, generally, associated with drier places and follows a period of El Nino.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Department had forecast it, starting in November and continuing through February 2011.