To enhance monitoring capacity during mid-year rains
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said an additional 160 persons will be employed to enhance the monitoring capacity of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) during the mid-year rainy period.

Speaking at a recent press briefing at his ministry, Persaud pointed out that the additional staff will supplement the 32 already on board.

He stressed that three hydraulic excavators on pontoons are currently being used for the construction of a new sluice door and the installation of a lifting mechanism at Kofi. The machines are also being used to empolder six miles of embankment between Flagstaff and Annandale.

In addition, they were used for the construction of 200 feet revetment at Shanks on the EDWC embankment, as well as the clearing and excavation of 10.5 miles of waterways in the conservancy.

Meanwhile, the ministry has also made several interventions to minimize the impact of flooding in the upper reaches of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks.

The minister noted some of the measures that have been taken, including the clearing of 10 miles of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks, the extension of flood embankment from Mahaicony to Abary, the excavation of drainage channels, raising of embankments at Perth, Baiboo, Wash Clothes, Strath and Campbell, and repairs to drainage structures at Payo, Pandit Canal and Handsome Tree.

Currently, 12 miles of drainage channels within the MARDS Scheme on the right bank of the Mahaicony River are being cleared, as well as 40 miles within the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas.

The minister explained that it would be difficult to prevent flooding in the upper reaches of the Mahaica/Mahaicony creeks, as there are no major flood control structures in place.

The only source of drainage for those areas is gravity flow through the rivers.

However, the minister said that phase two of the MMA project will address this situation, and efforts are being made to have the Japanese government fund this initiative.

Late last year, heavy build-up of water in those two areas reached close to nine inches.

National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Lionel Wordsworth at a recent media briefing, told reporters its fleet of 28 excavators has been deployed to Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten and the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to undertake critical work.

Wordsworth said NDIA has created a communication network to enhance monitoring of drainage structures the in the above mentioned regions and the EDWC.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in preparation for the rainy weather, is providing maintenance for drainage pumps and canals in affected regions, and Wordsworth said the construction and repair of earthen embankments, desilting of outfall channels, rehabilitation of intake structures and clearing of waterways are also being done.

To date, $85M has been spent in Region Two; $87M in Region Three; $90M in Region Four; $48.3M in Region Five; $82M in Region Six and $26M in Region 10.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud Friday last assured farmers and residents that all systems are in place to avert flooding during the mid-year rainy season.

He stressed that currently 44 pumps are in operation round-the-clock along the East Coast Demerara which, in the past, has been vulnerable to floods.

In addition, Mr. Persaud said defective sluices are being repaired and those in a state of ruin will be recommissioned.

According to him, the many interventions being made are intended to avoid, if not prevent, inundation and he appealed to the public to cease disposal of refuse in the drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems.

He also asked that any flood, negligence of koker attendants, default or vandalism of the D&I network be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture on telephone numbers 227-5049, 225-8310 or 225-5005.