The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has expressed solidarity with the people affected by flooding and says it will encourage the government to invest more in drainage.

In a statement yesterday, the ruling party noted the “tireless” efforts of the government to relieve flooding but added that the danger of it recurring is still present because unusually heavy rains are continuing.

“It is clear that the floods experienced in 2005 was not a one-off event. The PPP will therefore encourage the government to invest more in our drainage system to minimize and hopefully to eventually end these episodes of flooding”.

The PPP added that the most affected areas are the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary rivers and “the situation in these places is bad. Farmers have lost a lot and households are seriously inconvenienced”.

On Monday, during a visit to these areas, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that a US$15M canal will be built from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to the Atlantic Ocean. This is intended to obviate the need for emptying the conservancy into the Mahaica Creek.

The PPP called on its members and supporters to do whatever they can do to help the government in relieving the suffering.

It congratulated the medical teams and those from the Ministry of Agriculture who have been out in the communities daily.