The state of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) is cause for concern for some knowledgeable engineers, who say the facility remains inadequately managed despite the large investments being made by the government.

Data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that from 2003 to 2009 over $1.8 billion have been spent upgrading the EDWC. The Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), has also been implementing aspects of the US$3.8 million Conservancy Adaptation Project (CAP) funded by the World Bank.

Early last week, following heavy rainfall the water in the EDWC rose to a dangerously high level and had to be released through the Lama and Maduni sluices into the Mahaica Creek, resulting in extensive flooding and damage to bordering farms and homes.  Following …..