Dear Editor,
I read with dismay and apprehension the report in another section of the national media that the Minister of Agriculture stated that “Guyana’s capacity for drainage of accumulated rainwater is increasing and flooding is being gradually reduced, although it is still not at the level where it can deal effectively with unusually heavy rainfall.”
Many taxpayers would find this statement incredible and very challenging to accept, because on the East Coast of Demerara there is a poor drainage system created artificially, with only one pumping station at Success ECD and the NDC of LBI/Better Hope wilfully blocking some main efficient drainage canals for the convenience of a few and the disadvantage of the majority of residents of villages.
In particular the internal drains are not frequently maintained, and when they are maintained they are selectively done in places to appease a few friends/comrades. There is a palpable case to note, ie, the Chateau Margot chimney road drainage canal. This in the past was a very efficient drainage channel.
However this is not so now. We learnt that an erstwhile chairman of the NDC of LBI ordered dictatorially and covertly that the canal should be dug wider and deeper at selective places using the council’s Bob Cat machine and a council operator all at the expense of the taxpayers. The earth was then sold, but the money earned from the sale was allegedly not registered as the council’s income.
As a result of this there is a great increase in flooding, to the disadvantage and dismay of taxpayers. The recently built tarmac of Chimney road is rapidly sliding into that canal, and also boasts several large holes and broken and cracked shoulders because the canal is too deep at selected places. Ratepayers’ properties are already suffering from structural damage.
The pumping station at Success is lacking power to discharge the amount of accumulated waste and rainfall water. It is also starved of an adequate amount of fuel to function.
Also two canals leading to that pumping station are currently deliberately blocked by the NDC. They are at Success and LBI.
I trust that the kindly Minister will investigate this irksome matter. Prior to Independence the drainage was better and efficient.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
