As Linden residents grappled yesterday with ongoing flooding and property damage following 48 hours of heavy rainfall, regional officials and the Opposition Leader heaped blame on the government for the problems in a rebuttal to claims on Tuesday by Prime Minister Mark Phillips.
During a visit to Linden yesterday, Stabroek News spoke with Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon, Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams and Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton. They all shared the view that the flooding could have been easily prevented and that the disaster was a direct result of the government’s failure to act on proposals put to it.
Norton posited that it was only recently that communities in Linden started having drainage problems. He said the main reason for this happening was the stifling of resources to the Region and Local Authorities by the current administration and the allocation of resources to political activists instead of the people with the competencies to do the jobs.
Adams criticized the government for its failure to address critical infrastructure projects despite repeated requests. He highlighted the extensive damage caused to families in areas like Retrieve, Kara Kara, Silvertown, and Christianburg, attributing the disaster to the government’s lack of action on proposed policy decisions. Adams emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to ensure equitable distribution of aid and called for a non-partisan approach to relief efforts.
Adams said “We live in a hilly sand and clay region; we should invest in drainage that accompanies our roads that are being constructed. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, the government has awarded 3 drains per year for Region 10, out of the 50 something we requested, consecutively, one per year. We have activated as a regional body, the Disaster Preparedness Committee as was done in 2021 when the Kwakwani subregion district was flooded. The Regional Chairman heads the committee, the vice chairman is the alternate and the REO (Regional Executive Officer) is the bearer of government’s …assets (and) is responsible for executing … but what we have seen is the government hijacking the process, attempting to put political people, rather than use the elected councillors who are au fait with the area to reach out to those in need. Had the Government put in the critical capital work that we submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, you wouldn’t see excavators now digging after the dry season when the report was submitted and excavators now being placed for a PR stunt and window dressing. You are suddenly seeing CDC contracts being expedited which should have been done in preparation for the rainy season.”
Solomon underscored the challenges faced by local authorities in coordinating disaster response efforts. He lamented the lack of control over local CDCs (Community Development Councils) and CIIP (Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme) workers, expressing frustration at their deployment only after the flooding had occurred. Solomon accused the government of failing to collaborate with local authorities and neglecting critical infrastructure maintenance, citing instances where CDC works were stalled due to government interference.
Speaking with Stabroek News, Solomon said “When that money was spent a few days ago for the flag raising clean-up we would have directed them that this is an area to clean up and they should be held responsible and pay negligence for these persons who suffered especially in Constituency 2, Rainbow City, Kara Kara Creek Area”.
Solomon went on to share updates on the constituencies in the region. “Constituency 3, Kara Kara Creek, clean up started when it was the flag raising … and has not been finished up to now and caused flooding in the industrial area and the constabulary. In Constituency 4 of Noitgedacht, there has been no CDC works for the past two years because of Government interference in those groups, resulting in lack of maintenance. Constituency 5 between Silvertown and the Valleys there has been no CDC works for the past couple months in prep for the rainy season because government is in full control of those areas because 13 of the chairpersons contested the last LGE (Local Government Elections). All across Linden every constituency that suffered flooding is a direct result of Government’s neglect or political maneuvering that resulted in the place being flooded”, he charged.
Resource allocation
Norton, echoed similar sentiments as Adams and Solomon, attributing the recent drainage problems in Linden to the current administration’s resource allocation practices. Norton criticized the government for prioritizing political activists over competent individuals for crucial tasks and for its reactive rather than proactive approach to crisis management. He accused the government of politicizing relief efforts and called for a more structured and inclusive approach to addressing the crisis.
“I am aware that the Region and the Town Council all indicated to the government the need for funding to ensure that the outfalls are clear. The PM knows fully well it is not the fault of the Town Council, it is the fault of the government which does not want to give the Town Council the resources to be able to undertake the job that is needed. The people who are dealing with the relief are just PPP people, it is not a case where it is a structured approach where the government officials are involved, you have this so-called Town Clerk who is a PPP appointee …”, he argued.
Opposition Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira said in a statement to Stabroek News yesterday “During this May/June period, numerous communities in and around Linden/Region Ten face the recurring challenge of flooding during heavy rainfall, as witnessed over the past few days. Consequently, many residents have suffered adverse effects, with their homes inundated by dirty water, resulting in significant damage to furniture, electrical appliances, food supplies, and, in some cases, agricultural produce, poultry, and livestock”.
On Tuesday, PM Phillips had said: “Explicitly, the recent flooding is directly linked to heavy rainfall over the last 48 hours, compounded by the municipality’s neglect of the drainage system.
“Central government officials previously observed this issue during a visit, prompting a cleanup of drains in the central Mackenzie areas, including in front of the Mayor’s office, in preparation for the 58th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony last Saturday evening.
“From all indications, the areas affected by flooding are a direct result of the ineptitude of the current Mayor and Councillors who are focused on collecting revenues from all possible sources while failing to maintain the drainage infrastructure essential for the safety of the residents now suffering from the floods…
Truly needs
“What truly needs addressing is the failure of local and regional governance of Region Ten and the Mayor and Town Council of Linden.
“Their collective failure to perform their duties, including taking advantage of the long dry season to clear the drains and clean up the entire town of Linden, is unacceptable”.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, affected residents expressed a mix of exasperation with the current predicament and a hopeful yearning for support.
Tamika Richards, a resident of Rainbow City, lamented to Stabroek News the absence of aid for herself and her daughter, occupants of a ground-floor apartment within a two-story building. Despite a significant reduction in flooding on the roads since yesterday morning, stagnant water persists in her yard and home due to its lower elevation compared to the road. Richards, on the brink of tears, shared visual evidence of her ravaged property, underscoring the urgent need for assistance. Richards said “My bed, my fridge, my freezers and so in the back apartment under water, everything soak, my clothes all of that damage, me and my daughter went over to a family member, we couldn’t stay here. Everything gone. So far, nobody has said anything about helping replace the stuff but this morning I got some cleaning stuff from CDC, apart from that nobody, no hampers or anything.”
Lieutenant Maxo, representing the Salvation Army in Rainbow City, shared his bewilderment with Stabroek News regarding the sudden flooding challenge. Having assumed leadership within the Salvation Army on May 9th, 2024, he found himself grappling with an unfamiliar situation. “Every day, I see water falling, but I thought it was normal,” he recounted. “However, waking up to find the roads and the entire area submerged was alarming. I felt trapped in the building, unable to venture out.”
Despite the lack of immediate assistance, Maxo noted the mayor’s presence in the area and his evident concern for the situation. He expressed gratitude for the promised evaluations of the damage, particularly regarding electrical issues caused by the flooding. Maxo emphasized his ongoing efforts to assess and clean up, although many electrical systems remained non-functional.
Reflecting on his responsibilities as a Salvation Army officer, Maxo lamented his inability to fully perform his duties due to the exigencies of the cleanup efforts. “I couldn’t even step outside in uniform,” he admitted.
Numerous residents of Rainbow City blamed the persistent rainfall from Monday through Tuesday as the cause of the flooding. Those who spoke with SN expressed a collective hope for assistance in replacing damaged furniture or appliances. While significant governmental support remains elusive, residents appreciated the provision of cleaning supplies, such as bleach and soap powder, by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Many noted the commencement of drain-clearing efforts on May 28th and expressed optimism that future rainfall won’t lead to flooding now that the drains are clear.
A resident in Rainbow City had to prop her furniture up on tin cans to avoid damage.
Though flooding isn’t new to the people of Linden, this instance was particularly severe. Displacement was common, with residents seeking refuge with family members or kind neighbours whose homes were unaffected by the floods.
Malcolm Griffith, a resident of Wismar, recounted a distressing experience of waking up at 2:30 am to use the bathroom, only to discover six inches of water beneath his bed. “I’m not ashamed to admit it,” he said. “When I saw the water and smelled the stench, I grabbed a bucket because I was determined not to wade through it for nothing.” He described the damage inflicted upon his living room tables, with their legs and bases ruined, along with other furniture items. Griffith mentioned that a councillor had promised to return and assess the extent of the damage. Attempting to salvage what he could, he resorted to using Jeyes Fluid to clean out the mess. However, he lamented the condition of his outdoor mats, all of which were now damaged. Facing financial constraints, Griffith expressed his need to wait until pension time to hire someone to repair his chairs, noting the scarcity of individuals willing to offer assistance without charge in today’s society.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Andrew Forsythe, Regional Coordinator in Linden and Head of PPP in Region 10, discussed efforts to assist those affected by flooding during the rainy season. He emphasized the need for greater action from the Regional Democratic Council and Town Council in addressing drainage issues, asserting that their focus should prioritize community welfare over political interests. Forsythe highlighted ongoing distribution of cleaning supplies to affected residents and plans to provide additional assistance in the future.
The cleaning supplies distributed by the CDC to the affected residents
Regarding allegations against the government on the clearing of the area between Hymara Creek and Kara Kara, Forsythe acknowledged some cleanup efforts, noting the recent Independence celebration held in the region. He emphasized the government’s commitment to engaging with communities across all regions of Guyana to foster unity and address concerns. Forsythe called for a shift away from divisive attitudes and emphasized the president’s efforts to promote national unity.
