Dear Editor,

We the farmers (cash crop, livestock and rice) of the Mahaica River wish to pledge our support for the construction of a new canal at Hope to drain the East Demerara Water Conservancy during the rainy season, rather than draining into the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks.

Over the years, the government has come in for much criticism for not making enough interventions and now that they have received sound engineering advice on an alternative method to effectively drain the EDWC, there are elements shedding negativity on the project.

We the farmers, who suffer due to the release of water in the creek, see this initiative as the only alternative to reduce flooding to a minimum during the rainy season. Not only will the creeks benefit, but also the entire East Coast should the EDWC becomes threatened.

Many who seek attention are attempting to comment on this project, rather than be pleased that the government is implementing a project with sound engineering advice and consultation with the relevant stakeholders – the farmers who will be the ultimate beneficiaries.

Those who comment on this project should come and witness the effects of releasing the EDWC water in the Mahaica Creek. The Hope project is however being slowed by the aspersions cast by some opposition parties, social groups and engineers who have not even visited these communities. Rather than supporting the initiative or making constructive and meaningful contributions, plans are being made to derail this project of national interest just for cheap publicity and the need to justify the existence of some political parties and individuals.

Yours faithfully,
S Husain
Khemraj Ganchand and many others