Flood relief: Port Mourant residents will receive assistance – Mustapha

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, accompanied by a number of officers, on Saturday paid a visit to residents in Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where persons who experienced flooding last year were assured that they would receive Government assistance.
Mustapha held the meeting with residents from the Ankerville, Port Mourant area, at the home of former President and founder of the PPP/C, the late Cheddi Jagan. While there, residents were assured by him that their issues would soon be addressed.

“The residents told the Minister that they were aware of all the efforts being made at the level of the Central Government to bring relief to the citizens, especially in the area of drainage and irrigation,” a missive from the Ministry said.
“Minister Mustapha told the residents that a team of engineers will be returning to the village on Tuesday to compile a report detailing all the works needed in the area. He also reassured residents who suffered flooding last year that they will receive assistance from the Government.”
Meetings were also held in Bound Yard, Area R, and Phoebe. Another issue raised during Saturday’s meetings, was the need for more involvement from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). The residents informed the Minister that while they were aware of the efforts being made at the level of the Central Government, it was important for the NDCs to visit the communities and listen to issues affecting them.
Meanwhile, the Minister assured the residents that a team comprising officers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), will return to the area in the coming week to meet with them.
According to him, the team of officers will make note of all the issues, and develop a plan of action to commence works and bring relief to the communities.
In June of last year, several residents from Ankerville were forced to evacuate their homes as a result of extensive flooding to sections of Port Mourant. The flooding was reportedly caused by overtopping of a canal which sent as much as two feet of water in some sections and the water had stayed on the land for over two weeks.
The water which was coming from a canal went into the cultivation area and stretched several miles, carrying a very strong foul stench. This publication had spoken to several residents, who described their plight.
Among them was Ramsammy Drugen, who was seen with two bags and a bucket leaving the community. He told this publication that he was on his way to Lancaster, which is a few villages away, in search of higher ground.
The 56-year-old man lived in a flat house at Ankerville New Scheme. He said the water had reached a little below his knees and he was trying to protect himself from diseases.
He also noted that there are all kinds of reptiles taking over his house.
In addition, Marilyn Mohamed, who has been living at her Lot 215 Ankerville home for the past 26 years, had to move a few houses down the street as several inches of water settled in her home. The bedrooms, the kitchen and other parts of the house were covered with the “smelly” water.
Meanwhile, Dhanwattie Dhanraj, also of the same village, related that she has been under water for the past two weeks. However, water levels rose over the past four days, causing her not to be able to use her kitchen.
When this publication visited, there was water which was about two inches high at her bed foot and about three inches of water was in her kitchen. Another resident, Brian Sahadeo, who made a living from farming, pointed out that the recent floods have completely destroyed his farm.