Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
Belladrum residents urge attention to sea defense
Residents of Belladrum, particularly the rice farmers, are troubled by the present state of the sea defence dam at the eastern end of the village, and are calling on the relevant agencies to act, before it is too late.
Water was observed flowing over a section of the dam last week, and people became alarmed. The Regional Administration, as well as the MMA/ADA, has been alerted. Mr. Aubrey Charles, assured farmers that the relevant authorities would have been informed, as well as emergency works would have been undertaken. However, people are uneasy not having seen any signs of mobilization of machinery or materials.
There has been serious erosion of the sea defense dam caused by wave action, and whenever that section finally gives way, there can hardly be any stopping the seawater getting into the farmlands via the MMA drainage canals which service the entire West Berbice.
The massive MMA drainage and irrigation scheme has been allowing farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year without depending on the rainfall.
When there is not sufficient rainfall, farmlands are irrigated with water diverted from the Abary River.
Specially designed canals allow each farmer to irrigate or drain his field at his convenience, without affecting his neighbour, or other farmers in the area.
The MMA therefore seeks to efficiently manage the water level in the canals at all times since the system comprises a network of drainage and irrigation canals.
A breach in the sea defense would significantly affect the livelihood of thousands, and residents are anxious to see action rather than to be hoping.
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