–the NDIA has not had to open the Maduni and/or Lama sluices, he assures
AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has made it clear that the authorities had no reason at any time to open the Maduni or Lama sluice to release water during the rainy season. The minister made this disclosure during an interview with this publication yesterday.
Minister Ramsammy said that, over the last several weeks, there have been circulating misleading claims to the effect that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had opened the sluices, and that was what was causing high levels of water in the Mahaica/Mahaicony /Abary (MMA) area.
“I want to be quiet unequivocal on this matter, that at no time did we even consider the opening of Maduni or Lama. It is true that we have been discharging water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), but that discharge has been into the Demerara River, and at the western end at Land of Canaan, and at Kofi.” He said.
He noted that the NDIA has been steadily releasing water through the EDWC, and he stated that the only time water is not  discharged from Kofi and Land of Canaan is when the tide is too high.
He said that whenever the tide allows, the NDIA will discharge water through the available relief channels in order to maintain a safe level in the conservancy.
“Remember that safe levels are at 58 GD. We have no choice but to release water at all available sources. We have not reached that level, and we are presently between 56 and 57 (GD) throughout the conservancy, and that is because we have been managing it at its western end.”
Dr. Ramsammy said that while it is a fact that the water levels have been high in the MMA area, because of the constant heavy rainfall, he is confident that the NDIA will not have any cause to open the Maduni.
“I would hope that the dry season from July to October arises without us ever having to go to Maduni, and I’m confident that we will not have to open Maduni. Having said that, it is also true that the levels of water in the MMA have been high; that is because of the rainfall.” He added.

He explained that the amount of rain that has fallen in May in certain areas has exceeded the average May rainfall for that period, while it is normal weather pattern.
Even while this is so, the minister expressed satisfaction that Guyana did not experience any situation of major or severe flooding.
“So we have had excess rain, and sometimes even when we have had sunshine here in Georgetown, we had to deal with rains in those areas. And I’m glad that they weren’t any major flooding in the vulnerable areas across the country.”
The minister said that although certain communities have been impacted, works are currently being carried out to ensure that affected communities are assisted in one way or the other.
“We have been trying to do work to help out the farmers, and there are some areas that are difficult to deal with, but we are working with them.” He outlined.