More interventions to aid drainage at Helena, Mahaica

Georgetown, GINA, February 27, 2008.

Focus continues to be placed on additional interventions to support drainage and irrigation in areas affected by heavy rainfall including Helena, Mahaica, where a mobile pump has been re-deployed to aid the system.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Lionel Wordsworth met residents and farmers of the community on February 26 to discuss drainage issues.
            During the meeting it was agreed that two tractor-driven pumps, which were put in place by farmers earlier in the week, will be replaced by a large mobile pump, re-deployed by NDIA. This is to ensure faster discharge of excess water in the community’s drainage and irrigation that has affected rice and cash crop cultivation.
            It was noted that the NDIA and Region Four Administration are collaboratively undertaking repairs to the Supply/Belmont sluice. 
              Farmers spoke about the vandalism of dams and other drainage structures that result in the agricultural areas being affected by high water from the backlands, which is caused by excessive rainfall.  
            Residents were urged to desist from such activities and to report to the Police any signs of vandalism by either farmers or other residents. They were also told that vandalism of public structures especially D&I is unlawful and any person found guilty of such offence (s) will be penalized      
            Another issue farmers raised was the non-occupancy of some privately owned estates which have resulted in blocked kokers that affect drainage. It was decided that the kokers will be closed down by NDIA while fishermen were encouraged not to moor their boats in the channels of the koker and sluices since this can affect the flow of water.
            The excessive rainfall being experienced in several parts of the country has been attributed to ‘La Nina,’ a natural phenomenon that is expected to continue over the Coastal and inland regions of Guyana until March, 2008.
            This phenomenon, Chief Hydrometeorological Officer Bhaleka Suelall explained, can prompt widespread changes in weather around the world. However, in Guyana, ‘La Nina’ usually triggers weather systems that will result in excessive rainfall. 

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