Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday met with residents from several communities in the Port Mourant area on the Corentyne Coast and assured them that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was working to mitigate flooding across the coast.
With Guyana stepping into the May/June rainy season, the minister along with a team from the ministry met with residents to listen to the issues affecting them. He informed the residents that based on data gathered by the Hydromet Department, this year’s rainy period will have conditions similar to that of 2021.
He told the residents that the ministry has been working with the various regional bodies to put systems in place to avoid a recurrence of what took place last year.
“Right now we are experiencing a very high intensity of rainfall. I’ve received reports that the internal drains are clogged up. Even if we clear the main canals, if the internal drains are clogged up the water will not drain. I will ask our engineers to organize and send a small team back to the area to look at the drainage issues. I will also assign a small machine to clean all the drains as soon as the recommendations come from the engineers.”
Residents who turned out to the meeting at Ankerville, told the minister that they see the efforts being made at the level of the central government to improve the lives of the citizens and called on the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) to step up and play their part.
The residents also complained that when reports are made to the NDC, no action is taken and that the persons who were appointed councillors have not been working in the best interests of those residing in the community.
Mustapha told the residents that the government was aware that there were issues with many NDCs and that they are committed to rendering assistance as many of these bodies do not have the resources to function because many persons have not been paying their rates and taxes. However, he maintained that this should not stop the NDC from performing its functions adding that the Central Government will assist with works in the communities.
“Both the President and the Vice President have been imploring this, since the inception of NDCs; that those councillors should go out into the communities and meet with the people. We know that revenue collection remains an issue for the NDCs but that doesn’t mean that central government wouldn’t act. We will try as much as possible to assist with community issues. You also complained about your streets. When the President and Vice President were here they said that these small internal streets would be done. The Ministry of Public Works is now doing force account whereby the Public Works team is doing the work themselves. All these small alleyways and parapets are being done in concrete asphalt. That programme has already commenced in the 52-74 area.”
Residents also complained about being attacked by bees in the area. They informed the minister that there were many vacant lots in the area with overgrown bushes that have become a haven for bees.
While addressing this concern, Mustapha told the residents that similar cases are being reported across the country. He noted that the vacant lots are often owned by persons residing overseas and that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority has been working to address the bee issue. He also told them that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development was working to ensure these areas were clear of garbage and old machinery because bees tend to develop hives in these environments.
Residents also raised issues about the ongoing flood-relief programme and told the minister that many persons are still awaiting relief.
Mustapha informed the residents that many persons from the region are still on the list to receive assistance and that his ministry was working with the Ministry of Finance to complete the distribution of funds soon. While acknowledging that there were issues with the distribution process, Mustapha said that action has been taken against persons who were found guilty of colluding with residents to defraud the government. He also assured residents that once they suffered losses, they will receive assistance from the government.
Meetings were also held in Bound Yard, Area ‘R’, and Phoebe, where residents raised similar concerns. Mustapha assured those in attendance that the ministry would work with the regional officials to have these issues and concerns addressed as soon as possible.
