BV farmers bemoan blocked drainage

A dam that was built to prevent water access to the community

…overgrown shrubbery, stagnant water causing distress

Farming and other agricultural activities in the community of Plantain Walk at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been affected by the blockage of a trench, which occurred during drainage works a few months ago, resulting in a buildup of stagnant water.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Friday, one of the affected locals, Motiram Ram, explained that drainage works were conducted a few months ago and in the process, dirt was used to build a dam, preventing water from the backlands from entering the trenches. As such, a number of problems were uncovered since then.
At first, there was no source of water to conduct farming operations. However, the trench was later invaded by shrubbery and other plants after it remained void of water. This has invited dangerous reptiles and other creatures.
“There is a lot of drainage problems. It is a kind of farmland. We do farming and they block off the water from the backlands from flushing out the trench and provide water. They put a high dam and the water can’t come over so this is really really affecting us,” the man stated.
“The place is like a jungle because there is not enough water and the bush just growing. The little water that we have is stagnant. It needs to be cleared. One of my concern is that in the same trench, it is like a jungle. We get some serious alligator and snakes. I don’t know what will happen to us,” he later explained.
Ram said a piece of machinery was tasked with providing some drainage works a few days ago but could not continue due to insufficient fuel. A tractor was then dispatched to deliver petrol to finish the job but could not traverse the roadway. The affected resident argued that the street was built with asphalt and these are just excuses to prolong their distresses.
“About two months ago, a machinery come to Beterverwagting to clean the trench. They did part of it and like the funds run out and they go away. Now, about four days back, a big excavator park at the back by the end of the road waiting for fuel from drainage and irrigation. The operator don’t have fuel to operate the machine up to now. When a tractor come to bring fuel, the driver said he can’t pass to go there and the road is asphalt. We have good roads here and yet they making excuses,” Ram expressed.
Persons in the community have expressed concerns over their livelihoods and are calling on the relevant authorities to have the matter addressed. With the current situation, the community lacks an effective drainage system during the rainy season.

The trench, void of water, which has been invaded by bushes