Gov’t developing dredging capacity for outfall channels
- part of long-term D&I plan to deal with climate change
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2007.
Government’s commitment to further strengthen the country’s drainage and irrigation system to deal with the effects of climate change is continuing with focus on development of dredging capacity for the outfall channels.
In recent years, the outfall channels have been faced with rapid siltation and while dredging is done throughout the year, there is still need to carry out such activities to ensure effective outflow, particularly during the rainy season.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said a proposal has been endorsed by the President to develop capacity that will enable the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to carry out dredging of the outfalls. He explained that the capacity will be limited for dredging of outfalls only and will not be capable of desilting creeks or rivers.
The channels will be dredged with equipment purchased by Government for D&I improvement through the NDIA. Already, $40M has been allocated toward this initiative and will be expended to configure a dredging pontoon to accommodate excavators that can be used to carry out the activity.
At present, significant investments are being made to dredge the Hope and Greenfield outfall channels along the East Coast Demerara to ensure that the sluices have maximum outflow.
On December 30, Minister Persaud inspected the outfall channels being desilted and met residents, who expressed satisfaction with the ongoing activities. Dredging of these channels has been done throughout the year but this is the first time that such massive dredging is being done at the locations.
The activity will ensure natural outflow throughout the current rainy season and is very important to ensure effective drainage in the low-lying areas that are served by the sluices at Hope and Greenfield.
This is also part of Government’s long-term plan to continuously improve drainage and irrigation in light of climate change which is resulting in increased volume of rainfall over short periods, rapid siltation at the outfalls and sea level rise.
The administration’s investments in D&I have been significant over recent years with approximately $2B being spent in 2007. Additional equipment was purchased including excavators to enhance the canals and drains and empolder farmlands while more pumps were procured to complement natural drainage.
At present, there are approximately 40 excavators and 62 pumps being used to boost capacity of the D&I system.
more bulletins
