Misguided and ill-informed about drainage works at Victoria

Dec 29, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
In response to a letter appearing in the SN, dated Saturday, December 27, captioned ‘Little effort made to alleviate the flood sufferings of Victoria,’ written by Desmond Saul, I would like to address several inaccuracies contained therein.

It is important to note from the outset that Guyana, like many parts of the world, is experiencing unprecedented weather patterns fuelled by climate change, resulting in periods of extreme high-intensity rainfall.

Further, drainage in the Victoria areas is managed at the local level by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) usually undertakes works in the primary system and is always open to recommendations and constructive criticisms; and, in fact, has had a number of engagements with Mr. Saul.

However, a number of the writer’s assertions smack of a deliberate attempt to mislead the public by insinuating that certain communities are being intentionally neglected and deprived of interventions needed to remove water from the land caused by the historic level of rainfall.

It is also ironic that Mr. Saul would claim the NDIA’s actions have contributed to flooding.
The facts are as follows: at the start of the rainy season, dredging of critical primary drainage systems commenced at Greenfield, Belfield and Hope. Sluices at Victoria and Golden Grove were put into operation, and all drainage structures were activated to release accumulated water.

An excavator and dragline were used to clean pump basins at Victoria, while 33 miles of canals and drains were rehabilitated between Victoria (a community the writer falsely claims was neglected) and Golden Grove. As this letter is being prepared, an excavator is in the community carrying out emergency works to a tampered dam, and the NDIA dredge is desilting the Victoria Sluice outfall.

Mr. Saul, either due to innocent ignorance or malicious intent, claims that all drainage water from surrounding villages flows into Victoria, and that this community is the lowest point in the area, hence the reason for continuous flooding.

Mr. Saul’s ramblings are obviously misguided and ill-informed, since records from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Department indicate that the areas of Annandale, Buxton and Friendship have an average height of 50.70gd while the Craig, Victoria, Hope, Enmore areas have an average height of 51.25gd. The notion, therefore, that Victoria is the lowest point when compared to neighbouring communities is a figment of the writer’s imagination.

Additionally, a Water User’s Association and Community Development Council (CDC) group operates in the Golden Grove/Victoria communities, which provides for continuous monitoring and maintenance of drainage systems on a day-to-day basis. Is Mr. Saul accusing these community-based groups of depriving their own drainage?

It is also important to note that the NDIA undertakes drainage and irrigation works based on technical advice and the availability of resources, and remains committed to the maintenance and upgrade of all D&I systems under its purview. There is no other consideration, and the track record of the body speaks for itself.

Tiana Khan
Corporate Secretary

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Misguided and ill-informed about drainage works at Victoria

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