Residents of Leguan told a visiting team of officials last weekend that the lack of proper drainage has been affecting both farmlands and residential areas, and flooding was inevitable, especially during high tides and heavy rainfall.
And Coordinator of Hinterland Development Harripersaud Nokta who led the team declared in summing up his findings that, “Drainage is the mother of all problems at Leguan.”
Nokta was accompanied by Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) chairman Julius Faerber and vice chairman Manpersaud, the Regional Administration Office said in a release.
The visiting team held community meetings at Richmond, Doorn Haag, Leguan NDC office, Endeavour, Enterprise, Success and Maryville.
Another issue of concern which farmers raised with the team is the landlord/tenant agreement and they are calling for government’s intervention.
According to farmers, all of whom have been tenants for a number of years, they were paying $75,000 per acre and the rights were transferable.
However, the landlord is now putting up the lands for sale at a cost of $280,000 per acre and they are contending that this is exorbitant.
They told the team they are willing to pay $100,000 per acre, but that offer has not found favour with the landlord.
Vice-chairman Manpersaud then advised the farmers to seek the help of an attorney. He also promised to bring the matter to the attention of the agriculture ministry.
Meanwhile concerning the drainage issue, Faerber noted that the ministry of agriculture has promised to loan a long-boom Hymac and he assured that excavation works on the island would be given the necessary boost.
He also observed that a Hymac which has been on the island for sometime now cannot cope with the amount of work.
The regional chairman also told residents that his administration was working to alleviate the drainage situation, which is compounded by the closure of four kokers. He disclosed that efforts are being made to desilt the channels at Doorn Haag and Vetrowen.
The residents, the release said, highlighted their concerns over such issues as sea defence, dams and the landlord/tenant agreement. Moreover, residents pointed out that there are several vulnerable areas along the sea defence, especially at Success and Clairmont.
Faerber, acknowledging that the sea defence situation required urgent attention, informed that the Sea Defence Unit has been apprised of the situation.
