Residents of Mabaruma, North West District and other parts of Region One are currently experiencing water woes as the drought effects of the ongoing El Nino weather phenomenon continue to pose countrywide water problems.
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashely yesterday stated that several communities in the region have been battling with water difficulties as a result on the drought, and particularly the Mabaruma, Matakai and Moruca areas.
Ashley explained that in some instances the dry water pools have left pumps belonging to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) unable to pump the magnitude of water that they are expected to.
As a result, residents from Mabaruma and Kamwata are left to utilise water from the rivers, ponds or springs, while other residents from Kumaka have reportedly been fetching water by the “canter loads” from an old hydrant in Lower Hosororo.
Ashley noted that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is awaiting word from GWI as it relates to what works they will undertake to help address the current condition. However, he stated that both Kamwata and Mabaruma are currently awaiting the installation of solar powered pumps which are expected to offer assistance in dealing with the drought. This newspaper was also told that a new pump has already been installed at Mabaruma but attempts to confirm this with officials from GWI were unsuccessful.
On the other hand, Ashely noted that so far, he has not received any complaints of crops in the area being affected by the drought.
On Wednesday, government announced that with the forecasted prolonged dry season, Cabinet has taken a decision to have the situation strictly monitored and recommendations analysed so as to tackle the issue. This will include amped up conservation sensitisation exercises countrywide.
“Cabinet was also briefed about the persistent dry conditions across Guyana. These conditions, are part of … El Nino weather conditions affecting not only Guyana but the entire Caribbean. Nationally, Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 and 10 are facing severe shortage of water. On the coastlands, the rice and sugar crops are affected and the projection is that if there is no rain coming in a short period of time the situation can get worse,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters at a post-Cabinet press briefing.
He also said the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture were monitoring the situation and had put in place mechanisms for dealing with the shortage of water. He also urged citizens to conserve.
