Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud urged Region Three to be more proactive as even a simple case of a pump left unattended could cause disruption to the drainage systems.

The minister recently held outreach exercises at Canal Number Two Polder, Hubu and De Willem where he inspected drainage structures and pumps, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Persaud told the neighbourhood democratic councils that investments made aim to reduce the vulnerability of farming and low-lying areas along the Coast. He said even as preparations are being made to cater for unseasonable and abnormal rainfall there will be some element of flash flooding which cannot be avoided. The minister said the main drainage canal at Canal Number One is being rehabilitated and civil and earthen works have been conducted at La Jalousie, Vreed-en-Hoop and Den Amstel.

Persaud said he is hopeful for a two-to-three week break in the rainy weather to allow for the harvesting of rice as well as for works to be conducted on the access dams to paddy fields. He said too a break would allow expansion and enhancement works on the drainage systems as there are still a number of projects to be completed before the start of the rainy season.

According to GINA a $119M pump station is being constructed at Canal Number Two while a $150M sluice is being built at De Willem. Other smaller works such as intake structures will be done especially in farming communities.

Meanwhile, Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber said overall drainage in the region is good. He said during the last heavy shower water receded within 24 hours and this proves that the drainage system is working well.