Several sections of Black Bush Polder, Region Six remained under water up to this afternoon as authorities worked to drain the key agricultural area.
Emergency drainage works which were ordered by the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha were continuing as of today with six excavators in operation.
Stabroek News spoke with several farmers and residents today who are calling on the authorities to come up with permanent solutions to the drainage problems which exist in Black Bush Polder.
Surajpaul Hemraj, also known as “Rishi”, 59, a former water users association chairman in Mibicuri, explained that there are a lot of factors which contributed to the flooding in the area.
He stated, “Before Black Bush Polder was 25,000 acres but the lands them attach to Black Bush Polder now is around 60,000 acres. At that time Black Bush Polder could a drain like an inch and quarter water per 24 hours so if you check 60,000 acres to the 25,000 you got to improve the drainage capacity”.
Additionally, “the farmers in the Kokerite Savannah deh where the extra land and the water got to come”.
He stressed to the authorities that a permanent solution is badly needed to improve the drainage system. However, he said at present to bring relief to those affected a block should be considered within the residential area and they should “pump some water into the Canje Creek and that would help the Kokerite Savannah and the drainage system for the residential area would be capable to handle this here at a faster rate”.
He stressed, “That is a temporary solution and would work for the residential area for the people with livestock and them thing that”.
The group of farmers who were present today were extremely frustrated and emotional over the situation, as at one point they began to argue among themselves about a solution to the issue.
Titus Clarke, 40, a cattle farmer of Mibicuri South, who came up with a suggestion which did not receive support from the other farmers who were present, stated that due to the heavy rain, water runs through three aqueducts and then into the polder’s drainage system which causes an overflow.
“I agree that the rain falling but they need to take out those aqueducts they are like sore in our community, they keep constantly bringing in water when the rain fall heavy, constantly savannah water keep coming over to be drain through this system”.
According to Clarke, about eight years ago the aqueducts were temporarily installed after rice farmers were affected by heavy rain in the area and “if you take them out that is a permanent solution to the flood”.
Clarke stressed, “The residential area cannot flood if you close down the aqueducts”.
Stabroek News was told that a farmer has some tubing at the savannah location but he blocks the tubes so as to avoid water from entering the area but “these aqueducts just run 24/7”, said Clarke yesterday.
Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain, visited the area today to meet with farmers. However, the men were all speaking at once and over each other and could not agree on one solution.
Stabroek News was told that the emergency works will continue.
