Public Infrastructure Ministry prepares for spring tides in city

…$163M spent by NDIA on drainage

The Public Infrastructure Ministry is currently undergoing drainage works in the capital city to ensure that floodwaters recede as the Ministry prepares for upcoming spring tides.

This is although some $163 million was spent in April by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to assist in reducing the occurrence of flooding.
Minister David Patterson, in an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, said this was one of his “important” projects.
“I am working to ensure my full drainage network (is up) to deal with the spring tides. I am working to ensure we have everything covered,” the Minister stated.
According to him, the works that are being done are vital as the spring tides make it more difficult for accumulated water to recede.
“We have spring tides, so obviously the water is higher on the outside so it has a reduced time for us to drain off. So, we are doing (checks) with additional pumps to run off but it’s coming along quite good,” he reported.
The Minister added that some issues were encountered with two of the water pumps in Georgetown but those were resolved.
He informed that works are being done along Sussex and Commerce Street, Georgetown to ensure waters recede in a timely manner.
In the meantime, Patterson assured that waters along the East and West Coast were draining perfectly. He said, “East Coast is draining perfectly and over the river is doing really well. Georgetown of course, the low-lying areas, they’re draining now but obviously the time period between the tides (is affecting it)”.
Patterson was keen to note that the exercise is not a costly one as pumps and other resources are being shifted around to benefit residents and commuters in the city.
In April, Guyana Times reported on the costly project undertaken by the NDIA to reduce flooding in Georgetown.
It was revealed that three high capacity mobile drainage pumps would be installed at Church Street, Sussex Street, and Ruimveldt to assist in reducing flooding.
The NDIA stated that the contracts have been approved for the cleaning of the city’s drainage channels, with manual cleaning operations totalling $71.9 million and mechanical cleaning operations totalling $91.6 million.
However, in May when the rainy season kicked in, several sections of the capital city were flooded despite the costly works.