A section of Waterloo Street is continually waterlogged posing a challenge to pedestrians and other road users.
It has been noted that water remains on the western half of Waterloo Street, between Middle and Quamina streets, even when there has been no significant rainfall. As a result, trees planted there for beautification purposes are dying.
Contacted last week, Mayor Hamilton Green in an interview with Stabroek News acknowledged that it was the City Council’s responsibility to maintain the city’s drainage system but stated that it was unable to do so as it was being denied the opportunity to do its job.
The Mayor emphasized that the massive buildup of garbage around the city, combined with the shallow outfalls in Georgetown and environs had significantly contributed to water remaining on the land.
Green opined that the outfalls, canals and drainage system require frequent and efficient maintenance which is deficient at the moment, owing to a lack of necessary machinery and funds by the City Council. He further pointed out that the City Council’s intent to employ three excavators was disregarded by Town Clerk Carol Sooba, who only engaged the use of one of the machines. He said that in order for the city to be maintained the three Ms are essential; money, machinery and management.
Continuing, he pointed to the enormous commercial buildings being erected in Georgetown with no adequate parking facilities, which compound the situation, along with the irresponsible disposal of waste by citizens.
Green recalled that three years ago the government had announced its intention to ban non-biodegradable waste but this has so far not materialized.
Warming to his theme, he cited the placement of sandbags outside Citizens Bank at Charlotte and Camp streets. “It’s a disgrace to have a commercial bank having to place those bags there, but they don’t have a choice,” Green said.
Many other city business have resorted to using sandbags to prevent flood waters flowing inside and damaging goods and property.
