The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) of the Ministry of Agriculture has begun a major dredging exercise in Region Two in preparation for the rainy spell.
The ministry said in a press release that the dredging of all outfall channels by the NDIA’s excavators and pontoon was never undertaken in Region Two before and this is estimated to save the government in excess of $105M.
Over the last three weeks the equipment has already dredged the outfalls at Anna Regina, Lima and Windsor Castle and is currently working at Perth.
After this phase is completed, the equipment will be moved to Andrews and Somerset and Berks.
According to the release, this exercise will restore the drainage capacity of these areas in preparation for the forecasted La Nina weather system since these outfall channels are usually heavily silted.
Meanwhile, major drainage works are underway at Supenaam while the NDIA and regional administration are engaged in strict monitoring of all conservancies and main canals in the event of heavy rains.
Rice farmers in Region Two are now harvesting, the release concluded.