US$11.89M Flood Risk Management Project continues in 2017
In light of the intermittent periods of flooding over the past several days, Government is moving to ensure that a US.89 million project that started in 2016 continues in 2017.
This was recently disclosed by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who revealed that the 2016-2019 Flood Risk Management Project would cost some $2.5 billion in 2017.
He made these remarks late last week at an Agriculture Ministry press conference where he told media operatives that three pump stations on the East Coast of
The Hope Canal leads to the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC)
Demerara would be constructed to help provide relief to some 300,000 residents.
“The benefits of this project includes: reduced flooding and improved drainage and irrigation for over 300,000 residents on the East Coast of Demerara. In 2017, the majority of works will be carried out, including the construction of three Pump Stations at Lusignan, Buxton/Vigilance and Hope/Enmore,” the Minister noted.
Holder further explained that the north-eastern dam of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) was slated for reconstruction, while there also would be specialised training for staff in hydraulic and hydrology modelling. The Minister added that 2017 would also see an emergency preparedness plan for the EDWC being operationalised.
Speaking on a US$3 million Cunha Canal Rehabilitation Project for 2016-2019, Holder revealed that for this year, some G$390 million would be utilised to build a bridge along the Land of Canaan Public Road. He noted that this would further resuscitate the Cunha Canal, pointing out that there this year would also see the rehabilitation of the head regulator at the EDWC.
“The main area of focus is to improve drainage in agricultural areas that drain to the Bandarima Creek and Sarah Johanna Canal and increase the capacity of channels draining the EDWC,” the Agriculture Minister disclosed.
On December 23, Georgetown, its outskirts and several other locations across the country were inundated after some 12 hours of persistent heavy rainfall. Earlier this week, heavy downpours once again flooded the capital city, but the water in most sections receded hours after the rains ended.
Responding to the flood situation back in late December, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had called on Government to implement the necessary measures to bring immediate relief to those affected, by ensuring that steps were taken to minimise damage to and losses of property, livestock and crops. He had also urged the Government to pay special attention to the rising water level in the EDWC which was reported to be above 57 GD level, as well as the Boerasirie Conservancy.
The Opposition Leader had also noted that the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Pomeroon River and other inland areas, should receive attention as backwater flows could result in downstream flooding, which is the predominant trend in riverine areas.
Jagdeo added that the defective sluices and silted outfall channels in areas such as Capoey, Cozier, Three Friends, Letter Kenny and Borlam must be urgently addressed and operationalised, as well as those on the East Coast of Demerara, Georgetown and other areas, as necessary. At that time, coastal villages such as Lima, sections of Henrietta and Hampton Court, and Capoey, Land of Plenty in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); the Canal Polders, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and residential and agricultural areas of Anns Grove/Two Friends, Cane Grove, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Lusignan, and Foulis within Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) were also affected by the flooding which occurred in the days leading up to Christmas.
