Cabinet approves $75M for emergency drainage works

Jun 04, 2015 News

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By Kiana Wilburg
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said yesterday, that Cabinet has approved $75M for drainage works. Considering the fact that the matter is one of national importance, the money will be drawn from the Contingencies Fund.

During a press conference which was held at his office in Kingston, Patterson told reporters that as of yesterday afternoon, water had receded considerably in several areas in and around Georgetown.
But some areas on the East Coast are still under several inches of water.
“I was informed that in Black Bush Polder, water is still settled there and unfortunately, I was just advised that in Mahaica and the Mahaicony area, water is still high. But for all the other areas, the water has been discharged,” the Public Infrastructure Minister added.
He said, too, that all six pumps in Georgetown are working. He said that the pump at the Lamaha boundary required some work as it was in a “bad state”. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) completed the works needed on that pump.
The Minister said that the Cummings Canal is also being cleared by the National Drainage and Irrigation Administration, while the city council is clearing the area in the vicinity of Muneshwer’s Limited on Water Street.
Patterson said that the $75M will go towards the desilting of the outfalls in the areas of Kingston, Lamaha Street, Sussex Street and Meadow Bank South. He noted, however, that the expenditure will not be limited to this as inland clearing is expected to be done to several drainage tunnels.
“Some of the money will also cover emergency crews which will clear blockages in and around our internal drains. There will also be a hotline number so that residents can call about blockages or floods in their areas and the crew will come and take care of that,” the Minister said.
He said that the team will comprise officials from the Mayor and City Council and the Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure. He will also be appointing a coordinator for the initiative which is expected to last for about four weeks.
Patterson emphasized that the emergency works over the next few weeks do not represent the solution to the country’s age-old problem of flooding. It is only an attempt to ensure that flooding is reduced, should there be continued heavy rainfall over the next few weeks.
The Minister said that Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a task force inclusive of civil society bodies that will work towards finding a long term solution.
The Terms of Reference for the task force are still being worked out.  Patterson said that the Ministry will consult with the Guyana Bar Association in this regard, to ensure that the terms harmonize with a number of laws such as the Sea Defence Act and the Utilities Act.
The task force should become operational within two weeks.
He said, too, that he has received grants for funding from Japan, and that the officials will be in Guyana until August. The European Union has expressed a keen interest in providing financial aid.
The politician said that he has to consult with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on accessing these funds.
He said that the special task force will be focusing on drainage, traffic management and rehabilitation works.
“Over the last four days, I have been contacted by private and public sector officials who have ideas and would have done studies and read different things. We hope to have consultations and gather all the ideas needed for realistic, long term solutions to drainage,” he added.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, spoke about the task force also addressing the issue of drainage from a health perspective.
She noted that during the period of floods, there usually is an increase in water and vector borne cases. She noted, however, that the Ministry of Health is prepared to do its part and has put all health centres on alert to treat such cases during this period.
Dr. Cummings said that citizens can feel free to contact the Ministry of Health on its hotline number-2271316-for any assistance.
The previous administration had spent $500M on a cleanup campaign which included some of the very works being pursued by the APNU+AFC government.
Patterson told the media that he was not in a position to say where “the taxpayers’ monies” went, but guaranteed that it will be the subject of a forensic audit which would reveal the truth.
“We intend to look at it and it is our baby, however malnourished, or deformed it is. How it got so, that is a question for the forensic auditors. But for the time being we are here to nurse it back to health,” the Public Infrastructure Minister expressed.
Between Liliendaal and Meadow Bank South, there are 13 outfalls but only 11 are in working order. Patterson said that over the next four to six weeks, it is hoped that all the outfalls will be in working order.
The Minister, at the time, was unable to say what would be the cost to finance the special task force and what has been the cost of the drainage and irrigation works done, thus far.
Significantly, Patterson said that citizens may be required to make some hard choices. He said that in order to truly address the drainage plague, some citizens will have to consider relocating to other areas.
He said, “We have to decide what is collectively good for the people and we hope we will get their support.”
Patterson also disclosed that plans are afoot to address the effects of the floods on the Rupununi trails. He disclosed that Cabinet has already approved the construction of two bridges, one 20 feet and the other 30 feet.
He said that a report on the condition of the bridges in the hinterland region will also be submitted to Cabinet.

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