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Funds needed to commence excavation of canals
– Deputy City Engineer
By Sharmain Cornette
Sections of the city’s drainage system are currently undergoing much needed desilting works, a project which is being undertaken through the collaborative efforts of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) and the Guyana Prison Services.
The venture which entails the cleaning of alleyways and canals in the city has been characteristic of uniformed prisoners armed with rakes. The works which commenced in the vicinity of Avenue of the Republic has been ongoing for the past few weeks and will see them working their way up to Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, under the supervision of prison officers. Yesterday the prisoners were observed diligently cleaning a drain along Oronoque Street.
Prisoners desilting a drain under the watchful eye of a Prison Officer
According to Deputy City Engineer, Lloyd Alleyne, the municipality has been utilising the services of the prisoners in its efforts to prepare the city for an anticipated change in the weather.
“At the moment the dry (weather) is very good so we are trying to do as much as we can to improve the integrity of the drainage system,” Alleyne noted.
However, efforts to excavate some already identified canals may take a while longer, as according to Alleyne, proposals have been made, but funds are yet to be acquired. And a number of areas he said have been identified for massive excavation works.
“We know the works have to be done but we are just hoping that we are able to get the money soon while the weather is still good.”
He revealed plans for the Downer Canal and others in North Ruimveldt, as well as Cane View Avenue, among others that the municipality intend to target.
The state of some canals in the city has been of immense concern to some residents who have been calling on the municipality to take immediate action before the rainy season arrives. And given the fact that funds are not readily available, Alleyne said that alternative measures were put in place to commence desilting and clearing of canals in the interim.
The move by the municipality comes as part of efforts to prepare the city for the anticipated rainy season and the Twenty/20 Cricket World Cup which is slated for next month.
Prior to the Mashramani celebrations, Deputy Public Relations Officer, Debra Lewis had revealed that the municipality was working in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to enhance the city. This venture, she had revealed was slated to cost an estimated $22 M.
Among the enhancement works that were slated to be undertaken were the cleaning and de-silting of all main drains and canals, the removal of encumbrances on council’s parapet and the removal of derelict vehicles, a process which has already commenced.
As part of the campaign, a number of derelict buildings have been identified for demolition. Among the target areas are Kingston, Wortmanville, Lodge, South Cummingsburg, Charlestown and Bourda.
According to Lewis, notices have already been sent to the owners of these buildings to demolish structures that are evidently dangerous to members of the public.
“These buildings have been of concern to us because they are a threat to public health and safety. It causes the city to look unsightly and in some instances provides a haven for criminal elements…They could pounce on unsuspecting citizens.”
The issue of derelict buildings has for some time been a major distress to the City Council. It has been deduced that the increase of derelict buildings is mainly due to the migration of citizens who after leaving, failed to ensure that their properties were maintained.
Once a notice has been dispatched, residents are expected to commence demolition within a matter of days with the clearing of rubble being completed within no more than 30 days.
And should the notice not be heeded, the municipality will have no choice but to complete the demolition exercise, Lewis stated.
Just recently, the owner of a property located at the junction of Camp Street and North Road opted to demolish a derelict building following a notice from the municipality.
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