Significant focus in 2008 on developing climate change response capacity- Agri Minister

Georgetown, GINA, May 9, 2008

Government has renewed its focus this year to mitigate the effects of climate change and towards this objective, the National Climate Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Climate Committee yesterday held a symposium under the theme “Climate Change and Flood Management on the East Coast of Guyana.”
During an address at the Regency Suites, Conference Hall, Hadfield Street , Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said that approximately $12.5 M of government resources has been allocated for climate change work in Guyana, especially in the areas of building awareness, facilitating discussions and the involvement of agencies and stakeholders.
            This year will be significant for Guyana in terms of developing capacity, and it is responding to climate change and taking the leadership role, not only in the region, but at the domestic level, Minister Persaud said.
            “All of us need to understand and get this information to the public that climate change is real, it is here and there is a need to prepare ourselves.”
Minister Persaud noted that while the entire globe is expected to suffer from the effects of climate change, small developing countries like Guyana will be vulnerable to its impact.
            Like many other countries in the region, Guyana contributes negligibly to the causes of climate change, and in order to mitigate its impact, the government has undertaken major steps to address the issue through several major initiatives which includes the establishment of the National Climate Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture, the resuscitation of the National Climate Committee, participation at regional and international initiatives aimed at addressing climate and engaging in climate change and adaptation and mitigation activities.

Minister Persaud during his discussion on “Climate Change and Flood Management on the Coast of Guyana.”

            Guyana over the years has experienced increased frequency and intensity of weather events such as hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and the intense rainfall in 2005, that caused massive flooding.
It was noted that Guyana is expected to undergo major adaptive changes as the climate and weather events unfold. There will be intense periods of rain fall, temperature rise, longer dry periods and rise in sea level by more than one foot by the end of the century.
This will have adverse effects on Guyana’s bio-physical environment, health, economy and life style.
            As a result of the floods in 2005 and 2006, government has re-examined the existing drainage system and been making additional investments for the adjustments and adaptation of infrastructure for the impact of climate change.
            At present, Government is investing in several long-term initiatives to better manage, operate and improve flood control structures for the East Coast Conservancy including the implementation of the Conservancy Adaptation Project (CAP) financed under the global environmental Fund.
            Another initiative being pursued is the construction of additional drainage outlets at Westbury and Golden Fleece financed under the European Union Rice Competitive Project which will increase the capacity of drainage from 1.5 inches to 3 inches per day and the rehabilitation of the Dawa pumping station.  Investments are continuing in Regions 3, 4 and 6 with rehabilitation of canal and drains and installation of pump stations structures to improve discharge flows.
            Negotiations with the Japanese government and Donor Agencies to finance new drainage and irrigation infrastructure within the conservancies and Mahaica/Mahaicony areas is another initiative. This will reduce the possibility of flooding in riverrain communities and also open up approximately 300,000 acres of arable land for agricultural development.
            Minister Persaud further stated that other interventions being undertaken for this year include the expansion of the Hydrometeorological monitoring network in the Highland areas, training of staff in Hydrometeorological disciplines including disaster prevention and management and also collaborating with agencies.
            Investments are also being pursued in creating the Doppler weather radar station, an early warning system to define the areas where severe weather events are likely to take place.
            The Agriculture Minister said government has been continuing its efforts to ensure that flooding is covered under an Insurance Programme and he pointed out that a feasibility study commenced in March. This is expected to cover the costs of drainage faced by farmers and others.
            Also present at the symposium were Chairman of the National Climate Committee, Shyam Nokta, Head of the Sea Defence Department, Ministry of Public Works and Communication, Agnes Dalrymple, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, CEO (ag), Lionel Wordsworth, Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, Rene Duesbury, and Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development, Navin Chandarpal.

 

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