Minister Persaud conducts flood check in Region Three
- allocates additional $2M for further D&I works
Georgetown, GINA, May 23, 2007.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today announced that an additional $2M will be allocated to carry out immediate drainage and irrigation (D&I) works in Region Three as additional measures to combat the effects of the current rainy season.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during an inspection visit to Belle West housing sceheme, Canal Number Two Polder following several hours of intense rainfall.
The Minister made the announcement during an inspection visit to several areas in the Region that were affected by the heavy rainfall experienced over the past few days. The Minister was accompanied by a team of regional and technical personnel including Regional Chairman Julius Faerber.
Minister Persaud said the heavy rainfall resulted in accumulation of water in several communities, but from all indication, the D&I system responded efficiently and there was quick recession. All pumps, sluices and kokers that were functioning are still operable and constant monitoring is continuing throughout the region.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during an inspection visit to Belle West housing sceheme, Canal Number Two Polder following several hours of intense rainfall.
Additionally, several sluices, kokers and other D&I structures that were out of operation for several years will be reactivated to improve the system’s capacity. A sluice at La Jalousie will be reactivated and outfall channels in this area and another at Hague will be cleared.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud in discussions with technical personnel and residents on the situation in Canal Number One Polder, Region Three.
“While we are executing the emergency plan that was put in place earlier for the rainy season, we are testing it to see what are the weak areas and where we can do work immediately, both utilizing GUYSUCO, the Region, centrally and also the NDCs. We want to have these tasks accomplished quickly,” the Minister said.
He noted that there are designs problem with regard to drainage and irrigation in some communities, especially housing areas which the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be looking to address both in the short and long term. A design specification has been developed by the NDIA to guide all agencies associated with drainage and irrigation designs.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud in discussions with technical personnel and residents on the situation in Canal Number Two Polder, Region Three.
Canal Number One and Two Polders were the most affected due to the topography of the area. Nevertheless, there has been a quick reduction of accumulated water in both areas while further mechanisms are being put in place to accelerate the drainage process. Residents were told that a long-boom excavator will be deployed to desilt both canals when the rainy period is over.
Works are scheduled to begin tomorrow on a stop-off at a trench that drains swamp water into the drainage canal, a project that residents requested during the visit today. In addition, pulling of moss in the main canals will continue in both Polders as another means of accelerating and ensuring smooth outflow.
Drainage tubes will be installed in some areas temporarily to assist the network and ensure more speedy drainage in various affected areas including Groenveldt, West Coast Demerara. Excavation and clearing of internal drains, main canals and outfalls are ongoing in several communities to ensure more effective outflows.
The Boeraserie conservancy is under control and water is being discharged at several locations to reduce the level from about 60 gd to 59 gd.
Chairman of the NDIA Board of Directors, Walter Willis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA, Ravi Naraine and Deputy CEO, Lionel Wordsworth were among those who accompanied the Minister and who are making on-site visits to provide advice on the situation in the various communities.
