Encouraging flooding on the Essequibo Coast

Nov 15, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
On my visit to the National Communication Network Inc. building on Monday, November 13, last, I saw a contractor filling the drainage canal opposite the education building with white sand. This is the main drainage trench for the Cotton Field government compound which has the Anna Regina Multilateral School, Guyana School of Agriculture, Teachers’ Training School, Cotton Field Secondary School, magistrates and Judges Residences etc.
I wonder what kind of feasibility study was done by the regional engineer to block this main drainage trench. For decades this compound was prone to flooding and many times the schools in this compound had to be closed. When the rains fall the compound is flooded because of the clogged up internal drains.
Common sense will tell any engineer that these drainage trenches need to be kept clean and maintained at all times to avoid flooding.
Blocking the Ministry of Education trench will worsen the flooding situation in Cotton Field which is a large village divided into two sections stretching from the main canal to the seaside and its highly populated area with about 10,000 residents. In the past these residents suffered flooding when the rains fell and the farmlands water was released into the housing areas.
The blocking of this main drainage drain will compound the flooding. There will be loss of livestock, kitchen gardens and domestic animals.
I am adding my voice to this situation because I am a resident of this village. The compound was so designed by Sir William Halcrow and Company , a British consulting firm. The aim was to divert the water to the old road leading in front the Presbyterian church, then into the big trench leading to the Anna Regina sluice.
School children can be seen, lately, walking in rain water. When the rain falls in the ARMS compound, the dorms, playground, and the kitchen areas are also flooded during the rainy seasons.
I want to commend the REO for repairing the houses and having them into a decent state. These Government houses were neglected for decades and were an unholy sight to members of the public.
I would like to encourage the REO to continue his good work for the region, but he should at all times consult with the residents before he conducts a project in their villages.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan

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