Upwards of $80M needed to fix city drainage

– all 6 pumps to be working by today, minister says

State House, Carmichael St.
State House, Carmichael St.

The Ministry of Public Infra-structure was yesterday finalizing the logistics of desilting blocked outfalls and canals to assist in the draining of floodwater from several Georgetown wards.

Minister David Patterson revealed that up to yesterday the finances required to complete all of the projects required to expedite drainage was unknown, but sources familiar with the works stated that desilting of the outfalls/canals from the Demerara River could cost anywhere from $15 million to $20 million each. The major structures are at Kingston, Lamaha, Sussex Street and Meadowbank.

As the ministry awaits funding for these projects, the Force Account Unit within the ministry had already commenced desilting of the Cumming Street canal.

Patterson noted that the Finance Ministry would still need to be approached to fund the extensive works. “We hope that the Ministry of Finance is adequately flushed, resourced because the issue is the Minister of Finance is reporting that he still cannot ascertain what is available to the country in a sense…,” Patterson said.

Other works planned by the ministry includes ensuring that all six pumps across the city are operational.

Patterson told members of the media that he was currently working on developing taskforces that would be charged with identifying the issues currently hindering proper drainage within Georgetown and across the East and West Coast of the Demerara River.

At a briefing held at the ministry yesterday, he said that as of 18:00hrs today all six pumps should be operational with Lamaha Street coming on stream following the Sussex Street pump which was fixed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority yesterday along with the J.P Santos and Riverview pumps that became operational yesterday. Prior to yesterday, only the Kingston and Ruimveldt pumps were operational.

According to a drainage expert, secondary and tertiary drains would also need to be unclogged to release the build-up and allow for consistent flow of water. He told Stabroek News that unclogging the secondary and tertiary canals was imperative to quick drainage as the main canals were getting desilted.

Patterson noted that government was not prepared for the floods as it was not aware of the neglect of the various pump stations as well as the canals prior to taking office.

He said the gross neglect of the city’s drainage was bordering on criminal neglect

Earlier this year, Georgetown was inundated after heavy rainfall and the APNU and AFC, then in opposition, had called on the PPP/C administration to do more to assist the Mayor and City Council. Issues with non-operational pumps, broken kokers and blocked sluices have been ongoing for years.

One expert who spoke Stabroek News said the feasibility of draining water to prevent flooding just wasn’t possible, as the city’s drainage infrastructure was never built nor modified to handle more than two inches of water at a time. On Saturday evening and early Sunday morning Georgetown was hit with over five inches of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Patterson said the various entities were working cohesively and in collaboration including the NDIA and the Mayor and City Council to ensure all draining components were operational and functioning.

Acting Chief Engineer Ron Eastman said that for over a year the various pumps across the city were neglected, but the engine issues among other problems have since been rectified. Mayor Hamilton Green also stated that moving forward his office would be more diligent in pursuing charges against businesses and residents who tamper with drainage including covering and blocking. Additionally Patterson had told Stabroek News that he would be looking into current legalisation should public sluices be contained on private property.

A press release from GINA said that according to the National Weather Watch Station, varying levels of cloudiness with light to moderate showers were expected across coastal Guyana between last night and this morning, predominantly during the early hours. Rainfall was expected to be between 5 mm and 15 mm, it added.

All other regions can expect cloudy to overcast skies with light to moderate showers and possible isolated thundershowers, it said. High tide was expected at 03:41 hrs at a height of 2.93 m (9.61286 ft) which is above normal.

Residents of low lying, riverine, and flood prone areas were advised to take necessary precautions against possible flooding, to safeguard their properties and crops and livestock.