Although the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been assisting the Neighbourhoood and Regional Democratic Councils to relieve the community of Black Bush Polder, Corentyne from flooding, the NDIA says it cannot be blamed for the problem which began after heavy rains on May 24th.
A release from the Ministry of Agriculture related that Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Fredrick Flatts, has refuted claims made by Yakusari Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) councillor, Bibi Sharmine, who was quoted in sections of the media as blaming the entity for the flooding.
The release noted that earlier in the year, the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had refused to allow the NDIA to take over responsibility of the drainage system in Black Bush Polder, which means that they do not have total control in that area.
“I’ve seen the reports and I wish to say this – the responsibility for drainage works in the area is as such where the NDIA is responsible for clearing the outfall channels and mechanical repairs of the drainage pumps. Activities such as cleaning of the Yakusari main drain, operation of the drainage pumps and sluices are responsibilities of the Regional Democratic Council,” Flatts explained.
He further noted that the NDIA commenced clearing the Black Bush outfalls at Joppa, Adventure and Eversham on May 14, and said that by May 23, the outfalls had been cleared and the sluices were operational. Additionally, he noted that the system of clearing the outfall channels along the coast is dependent on the availability of a sufficient water supply.
Furthermore, Flatts noted that it was only after the RDC was unable to clear the main drain that the entity’s assistance was requested.
“After the RDC’s contractor was unable to clear the Yakusari main drain which conveys water to the sluice and pump, NDIA’s assistance was requested. We mobilised a contractor with two excavators to excavate the channel on May 24, 2019. During the seven days – from May 23, 2019 to May 30, 2019 – whilst water levels were significantly high, the RDC underutilized the 200 cubic feet per second drainage pump at Joppa where it was operated for only 5hours 10mins,” Flatts stated.
He informed that the water level at Yakusari is slowly receding, the NDIA’s engineers and extension staff are monitoring the system daily, and rice farmers are releasing water into the system during this stage of their cultivation.
“NDIA will continue to offer assistance to the residents of Black Bush Polder as the ultimate goal is to have life in the village return to some level of normalcy as soon as possible,” he said.
