Dear Editor,
The residents and farmers of the West Bank of Demerara who were at the mercy of the mammoth overtopping of the sea dam would like to extend our appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies for responding to and supporting us in easing the overtopping and also ensuring that salt water drained out of our farms in a speedy manner.
Even though the Ministry of Agriculture is not responsible for sea defence, their response was commendable. I together with other farmers was given support to secure my farm and save some livestock from being affected by the salt water. The recent work of clearing canals in the area by the Ministry of Agriculture greatly assisted in storing a high volume of water which then could be released at low tide.
I would like to call upon the Sea Defence Department and other relevant authorities to step up their work plan to raise the sea dams in low areas and be prepared for the bigger spring tide which is customary in November/December. Additionally, support is being sought for the Mangrove Unit to examine some of these areas for possible cultivation in the event that funds are not available to undertake the desired work.
The recent spring tides are an indication that climate change is here, and it is sad that this is the only way that some of our citizens will come to realize this. However, I believe in the spirit of the Guyanese people and together we shall persevere.
Yours faithfully,
Suraj Singh
