Several residents of Gangaram Settlement, East Canje, Berbice yesterday voiced their frustration about their flooding situation.
The residents explained that despite days of sunshine, water was still lodged in their yards, affecting them from carrying out their daily tasks.
The residents believe that a trench, which is located at the back of the village needs to be dug in order for the water to recede.
Seerajie Balram, 51, who resides in the village with her sickly 79-year-old mother, stated that some four days ago her yard flooded due to the heavy rainfall.
However, she noted that there have been three days of sunshine and the water was still there.
Frustrated, Balram highlighted that her toilet and bathroom are in the yard.
Because of the flooding, she has not been able to access either. “We na eating things that gone make us want go toilet,” she said.
She explained that since the flooding, they have had to wait until “late at night and come on the step and take water from the barrel and bathe.”
She stressed that she has not been able to leave her yard for four days. “I can’t go out and buy anything cause me barely able walk,” she said, highlighting that she has an injury to her toe. “Me mother can’t walk too cause she a get bad pain on her foot,” Balram added.
Sindareta Chandersain, 44, of Lot 104 Gangaram Settlement, said, “When we get flood it does drain out, but now it last so long. The main drain at the back need to be dug out because it’s filled with stuff there. If it ain’t clear the water gun continue to bounce back to the village.”
To her knowledge the trench was cleared last sometime in 2016.
Other residents chimed in saying that in order to prevent flooding and assist with the water receding more quickly, the trench should be cleared more often.
The residents are calling on the Neighbour- hood Democratic Council (NDC) as well as regional officials to intervene immediately. According to residents, they have contacted the NDC and Regional Democratic Council, but nothing has yet been done.
They said some officials are claiming that the water will recede on its own, however, they opined that if the trench is not cleared at the earliest the water will not recede.
