Upgraded drain maintenance to temporarily ease city’s flooding woes – Mayor

…as business community voices concerns

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has announced plans to implement a revised and enhanced drain maintenance schedule following multiple complaints from residents in the capital city about flooding caused by the current rainy season’s heavy downpours.
This updated schedule will prioritise the regular cleaning and upkeep of several key drains within the city’s drainage system to effectively reduce the risk of flooding and improve water flow during periods of intense rainfall.

On Wednesday, Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, along with the team from the City Engineer’s Department of the M&CC met with several business owners and representatives from various enterprises operating in the central Georgetown area.
During the engagement, stakeholders voiced their concerns regarding persistent flooding and inadequate drainage systems, which have been impacting daily commerce and posing health and safety risks.
To bring much-needed relief to residents affected by flooding, Mayor Mentore emphasised that the M&CC will undertake comprehensive cleaning and rehabilitation of key drainage systems throughout the city. In addition, the council will implement enhanced and more frequent maintenance schedules aimed at improving overall drainage efficiency.
“I want us to continue to do that until… from time to time, maybe every three months, let them continue to do that until we could get a permanent solution to this issue. So, the engineer who put that in place and put systems in place to allow for that, with the drainage section and those other processes, let them put that work towards having that area cleared, and at least every two to three months, we should have it done until we could have a permanent situation in place,” he advised.
These proactive measures are designed to significantly reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season and ensure better water flow, thereby safeguarding communities and minimising disruptions caused by heavy rainfall.
However, the Mayor also revealed that, alongside the immediate maintenance efforts, the City Council will undertake comprehensive long-term infrastructural upgrades. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the city’s drainage capacity and overall resilience to withstand the challenges posed by future rainy seasons.
The M&CC are placing a strong emphasis on enhancing drainage infrastructure across the city, as highlighted in their recent 2025 budget presentation. With a dedicated allocation of $4.28 billion, significant investments are planned for drainage improvements, urban development, and long-term resilience projects.
Mayor Alfred Mentore has actively inspected key areas in downtown Georgetown, pinpointing drainage blockages and structural vulnerabilities that contribute to frequent flooding.
These efforts underscore the city’s commitment to creating a safer, more flood-resilient environment for its residents.