Govt. can’t afford at present to make Regions Four and Five flood proof – Luncheon

Dec 27, 2008 News

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It is not possible for the Government to expend the US$400M necessary to ensure that Regions Four and Five are flood proof, given that the resources are not available.

This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who noted that, for 2008, close to that amount was budgeted for the entire country’s drainage and irrigation.

During the most recent session in the National Assembly, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud had stated that it would take some US$400M to ensure that the two regions were flood-proof.

Dr. Luncheon said that all measures will be taken to ensure that citizens are not adversely affected by the current rainy season, adding that health and animal officers will continue to monitor affected areas.

The Hydrometeorological Office has predicted that rainfall will be experienced comparable to that of 2004/2005.

Dr Luncheon noted that it is with consideration to the consequence of those projections that the plans include the design and implementation of activities related to a worst-case scenario.

Among those activities, many of which are ongoing, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat said, are more mobile and permanent pumps which will be deployed to increase the removal of water, since gravity drainage is, as it is today, maximized, and not likely to have significant increases.

He said that tidal drainage is being maximized in clearing of outfalls and canals, and he noted that if rainfall is going to increase, then pumps will have to be used to take care of the additional water that is anticipated. Most importantly, he emphasised, the level of work done will have to be maintained, including the clearing of outfalls and canals, and removal of garbage and impediments that float.

He noted that attention to animal health, both in terms of forage and treating the same infections to which humans are exposed, is ongoing. In the health sector, he pointed out, the clinics in affected areas will continue working to extended hours, including on holidays, so that Health Visitors can continue responding to the findings about diseases in affected communities.

Health workers have been assigned a major task in distributing chlorine tablets and disinfectants; and sterilized water is being provided, while the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will undertake and maintain the distribution of treated water in identified communities, Dr. Luncheon said.

He noted that, so far, a minority of communities on the East Coast of Demerara have indicated their requirements for bulk water distribution. Nevertheless, the Cabinet Secretary said, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and GWI will maintain their presence in the event that the predictions of the Hydromet Office prevail.

This, he said, will be done to ensure that they have the capacity to set up potable water facilities in identified communities, as well as to increase the distribution to households in the villages.

The sea and river defence department will increase stockpiling of the supplies and goods that are anticipated in case of deterioration, Dr. Luncheon said.

He stated that a number of koker doors and sluices, sheet piling for breaches in river, bridge and sea defences have already been identified for procurement.

The CDC will continue its monitoring role in the affected communities, and its coordinating role will be enhanced by meeting more often as the country heads into an uncertain future, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat explained.

Responding to the question of a proposed new canal, Dr Luncheon explained that the major responsibility at the level of the administration was to execute the design work based on which was the most ideal location, and the amount of land space that was needed was identified.

This, he said, was the first step, and he noted that because the decision led to a specific area that was already part of a housing estate or an intended housing estate, interventions were made to have that area reserved.

The cost and other material considerations, he said, have not been worked out. He noted that this has to be completed in order to move into the next stage, which includes executing the formal design before going to tender.

With respect to funding for the project, Dr. Luncheon indicated, the Government is looking at corporations that have already been approached about the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to improve its functioning, particularly to lessen the risk of breaches to the dam and enhancing the disposal of excess water during the rainy season, which is a major threat to the dam.

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