Coalition blames govt. neglect as floodwaters swamp Regions 4, 5 and 6

Jun 01, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have sharply criticised the government over widespread flooding across Regions 4, 5 and 6, arguing that years of poor planning and neglected drainage infrastructure have left communities vulnerable to recurring disasters.

In a statement on Sunday the party said hundreds of families are once again being forced to endure flooded homes, damaged property, disrupted livelihoods, and significant hardship because of the government’s continued failure to properly plan and manage Guyana’s drainage infrastructure.

“Guyana is a country that lies largely below sea level. Any responsible government understands that drainage and irrigation systems are not optional conveniences but essential components of national development and public safety. Unfortunately, the PPP/C government has repeatedly ignored this reality,” the party said in a statement.

According to the PNCR/APNU, for years they have cautioned the government that its approach to major road expansion projects, particularly along the railway embankment corridor and in several sections of Georgetown, was fundamentally flawed. “We warned that existing drainage channels were being compromised, reduced, or eliminated, without adequate alternative systems in place to facilitate the rapid movement of water during periods of heavy rainfall.

We further advised that drains, canals, and waterways must be regularly desilted and maintained, particularly given Guyana’s vulnerability to flooding and the increasing frequency of intense rainfall events. These warnings and recommendations were brushed aside, ignored and fell on deaf ears.”

Today, the party said the consequences of that negligence are being experienced by ordinary citizens who are forced to wade through floodwaters, suffer losses, and endure uncertainty, while the government engages in public relations exercises and photo opportunities.

“The recent and continuing flooding rests squarely at the feet of an ignorant, arrogant, inept, incompetent, and uncaring PPP/C government that has consistently prioritised optics over effective governance. Rather than investing in comprehensive drainage solutions and resilient infrastructure, the Government has pursued projects without sufficient regard for their long-term impact on flood management and public safety.”

The flooding now affecting communities across Regions 4, 5, and 6, and parts of Georgetown, is not merely the result of heavy rainfall, it is the result of poor planning, inadequate maintenance, and a failure to heed expert advice and legitimate concerns from citizens, engineers, community leaders, and, most importantly, the PNCR/APNU.

The PNCR/APNU therefore calls on the Government to immediately:

1. Deploy all available resources to assist affected communities;
2. Conduct an urgent assessment of compromised drainage systems in flood-prone areas;
3. Implement an aggressive programme of desilting and drainage maintenance throughout the country;
4. Review all major road and infrastructure projects to ensure that adequate drainage capacity is preserved and enhanced;
5. Establish a comprehensive national flood mitigation strategy that addresses both current and future challenges.

“The time has come for Guyanese to recognise that this government lacks the vision, competence, and foresight required to address the real problems facing our nation. Grand announcements, expensive ceremonies, and impressive headlines cannot substitute for sound governance and practical solutions.

The people of Guyana deserve a government that plans ahead, listens to expert advice, protects communities, and places the welfare of citizens above political image-making. The PNCR/APNU remains committed to advising the government and people of Guyana on present and future solutions to flooding, while standing with affected residents and advocating for the urgent action needed to prevent these recurring disasters from becoming the new normal,” the statement concluded.

Persistent and heavy rainfall on Saturday has caused floods across Region Four and other communities, prompting President Ali and his Cabinet to meet Regional Executive Officers and Regional Chairpersons to coordinate a national response to widespread flooding.

Speaking during an assessment in Region Three on Saturday morning, President Ali said the government is closely monitoring the situation and has activated a coordinated national response involving regional administrations, drainage and irrigation authorities, and emergency agencies.

The volume of rainfall recorded in recent days has been significantly above normal levels, resulting in overtopping of drains, water accumulation in low-lying areas, and flooding in several communities. “We are seeing very high and unusual rainfall patterns across the country, and as a government, we are on the ground ensuring that every agency is working together to bring relief and support to residents,” President Ali said.

President Ali explained that teams have been dispatched to assess damage, identify urgent interventions, and ensure that drainage systems are functioning effectively. He said additional pumps and resources were being mobilised where necessary to accelerate the removal of floodwaters.

Cabinet ministers were also assigned to various regions to engage residents directly, monitor conditions and coordinate relief efforts with local authorities. Ali assured citizens that the government would continue to provide support to affected families and communities, while maintaining close surveillance of weather conditions and water levels. He emphasised that public infrastructure agencies were working around the clock to clear drainage channels, operate pumps and address critical areas experiencing flooding. Ali urged residents to remain vigilant, heed advisories issued by relevant authorities and report areas requiring immediate attention. “We will continue to be present in the communities, assess the situation firsthand, and ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to safeguard lives and livelihoods,” he stated.

While the government deployed its teams, the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed heavily criticised the state of the drainage infrastructure, highlighting that communities like Better Hope are under water because local pump stations are simply not working. The Opposition Leader pointed out that only two out of five pumps are currently operational at Montrose, causing major flooding on the East Coast, while the Plaisance pump station was completely down, exacerbating the situation in both Better Hope and Plaisance.

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• APNU, Coalition, drainage, drainage infrastructure, flah flood, flooding, heavy rainfall, PNCR

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