Government’s investments in drainage and irrigation have resulted in improvements in many areas including Region Ten, where approximately $73M was spent this year to carry out D&I works, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud during a visit to the region yesterday to inspect D&I explained that works included both maintenance and several capital projects. According to GINA, these were implemented by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Regional Administration and various farmers and community groups.
NDIA engineer Dave Hincks and officials of the regional administration accompanied the Minister on the visit.
GINA said that engineers and teams of other technical personnel are assessing the situation countrywide and are constantly reporting to the NDIA.
Residents are urged to play their role by desisting from activities that can hamper the D&I system, such as dumping of garbage into drains.
Among the projects undertaken this year were the clearing of the Hymara and Cacatara Creeks at a cost of approximately $2M, the excavation of a main canal at Speightland and Whitewater Creek in Canvas City.
“Additionally, approximately $3.8M was spent to construct concrete drains downhill from Half Mile, Wisroc, passing through Green Valley and into New Silver City.
The release said that prior to construction the previous drains had deteriorated and this resulted in erosion of the roadway.
Clearing of main canals that drain water from various farmlands was also carried out in West Watooka, while other improvements were done to various D&I structures including widening of culverts to ensure greater flow.
During the inspection of these areas, it was observed that there was efficient drainage while residents, farmers and regional officials informed the Minister that despite the occurrence of persistent rainfall over the past few weeks, there has not been any major problem with D&I. They expressed satisfaction with the works done and made recommendations for other areas to be addressed.
Minister Persaud assured that the improvements will continue in the region and more resources will be made available for such projects especially since there have been increased agricultural activities requiring continuously enhanced D&I.
According to GINA, he noted that a lot of emphasis continues to be placed on the agricultural areas particularly during the current rainy season.
Efforts are also being marshalled through the NDIA to address the situation at the Kara Kara Creek where there was a landslide resulting in a section of the waterway being blocked.
One of the key areas the Minister pointed out is maintenance to ensure that the system remains effective following major capital works. Reference was made to the role of the regional administration and various communities and farmers’ groups in this process.