While recent rainfall across Region Nine has eased the effect of the persistent El Nino dry weather, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) with assistance from the Brazilian army has commenced drilling operations to offer additional relief to severely affected areas.
This is according to Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, who told Stabroek News that sections of North Rupununi and the South Pakaraimas have experienced some amount of rainfall in the past few days, which allowed a fortunate few access to water through their water tanks.
However, others have not been as lucky, even with the distribution of water pumps and black tanks, since there is no source of water available.
Earlier this month, Chief Executive of GWI Dr. Richard Van West-Charles had highlighted the financial support in the sum of $8 million made by seventeen local contractors for the drilling of 8 potable wells in Wowetta, Rupertee, Aranaputa, Kwaimatta, Marcanata, Shulinab, Potarinau and Kumu in Region Nine.
According to Allicock, the Sir.Itamar Engineering Company of Brazil has since been contracted to drill the wells in the North Rupununi at a cost of $1.5 million each. He explained that GWI has agreed to cover the cost incurred, while the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has paid for the drilling of the well at the Annai Secondary School.
The wells at the Annai Secondary School and Wowetta have since been completed. Meanwhile, further assistance has since been sought from the engineers attached to the Brazilian army for the drilling of an additional eight wells in the South Pakaraimas. Allicock noted that the Brazilian team is currently in the South conducting feasibility studies and land verification to ascertain the type of equipment that will be needed.
Additionally, the Chairman noted that in instances where drilling may be difficult, the team will try to harness the natural springs that flow from the mountains. He explained that it is the hope that the full complement of wells will be completed before the heavy rains begin.
But even as the region has experienced recent rainfall, Allicock noted that plans have already been discussed for the sourcing of food supplies for the region as they anticipate a food shortage.
He explained that farmers from the five districts in the Rupununi are now faced with the occurrence of caterpillar infestations. He added that the farmers are now crying out because the caterpillars are feasting on the leaves on the cassava plants that they would have planted.
The Chairman noted that a team of Extension Officers attached to the Ministry of Agriculture are on the ground working tirelessly to combat the caterpillar infestation.
He further explained that because it would take four to five months before any crops can be harvested, the RDC and Civil Defence Commission (CDC) have begun coordinating plans to source food supplies for the region.
They have since turned to the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry and Food for the Poor for assistance. Over the past few months, the effects of the prolonged El Nino weather phenomenon have continued to plague the Region. What were once following rivers and lakes, have now been reduced to puddles or have dried up all together; the occurrence of forest and savannah fires have also become more frequent.
