Heavy rainfall alone is not responsible for immense flooding

Jun 09, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

It is helpful to Guyanese that the New York Times highlighted the magnitude of the flooding in Guyana. This may help to get the government to change its act and employ competent persons to avoid these kinds of failures that exists across our society.
The intensity of the flooding in Guyana has created misery for thousands of Guyanese, which will extend years after the flooding subsides. What I find appalling, disgusting and backward is the number of ministers including President, Irfaan Ali, running all over the country looking worried and pitiful and sharing out hampers. How long will these hampers last? A few days? The fact is that the flooding cannot be attributed to heavy rainfall alone. Not of this magnitude. The missive flooding is also a result of 50 years of incompetence and neglect of a major infrastructure in this country. Drainage. The major canals are not cleared and dredged. Mining activities are allowed without proper oversight. So, rivers are likely being destroyed and blocked, which will also cause flooding. Housing developments are created on this threatened piece of coastland with drainage infrastructure that dates back to the Middle Ages, shallow mud drains that quickly fill with silt, weeds, and caves in resulting in the roads also falling apart as the drains cave in.
The second fact is that politicians in this country do not care about Guyanese and the future of Guyana. Their mental focus is short term. Their focus is what is in it for them and their families. Then giving jobs to party hacks instead of competent persons. One former PNC minister stated this publicly. One current PPP minister quickly appointed someone to head GUYOIL. Look at the result. The sad and tragic thing is that none of these ministers has the decency and integrity to resign. This incompetence is not only resulting in flooding. It affects all aspects of the economy and society. This incompetence and some other bad traits, is also the reasons foreign companies, including the oil companies, are able to take advantage of Guyana. This cannot stop unless Guyana gets a new breed of politicians. Even the two or three politicians who mean well are a failure because they lack the strength of character to take a stand for what is right. They simply go along with the bandwagon to enjoy the gravy train. As an FYI, you cannot train persons to become competent. You have to appoint persons who demonstrate competence.

Sincerely,
Harrish Singh

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