The multi-agency National Drainage Task Force, established by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has officially completed its public consultation phase for the Georgetown Drainage Improvement Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the capital city’s flood resilience through major upgrades to its aging drainage network.
The consultation period wrapped up this evening with final meetings held with residents of Constituencies 12 and 14 at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School, and Constituency 9 at the Enterprise Primary School.
Over the past two weeks, the Task Force carried out an extensive outreach programme, engaging residents and business owners in more than 50 communities within 15 Georgetown constituencies. The team also met with several private sector bodies. Feedback from the public was overwhelmingly positive, with residents welcoming the opportunity to share concerns, practical recommendations and localized insights that will prove invaluable in refining the final project strategy.
The consultation process was led by Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn along with Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). Other representatives from agencies on the National Drainage Task Force have included Chief Development Planner of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Ms. Germene Stewart; City Engineer, Mr. Colvern Venture; Solid Waste Manager from the Georgetown City Council, Mr. Walter Narine; Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Mr. Kevin Samad; the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission’s Manager of Land Information and Mapping Division, Mr. Naseem Nasir, and Senior Surveyor of the Geodetic Section-Surveys Division, Mr. Adrian Cheong; and officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
Minister Croal, during the final engagements, stated that the Task Force is now focused on finalising a comprehensive report capturing all stakeholder feedback and technical assessments. This report will be submitted to President Ali in about one week.
Throughout the consultation process, both Ministers underscored the necessity of strong partnerships—between central government, the M&CC, private sector entities, and residents—to ensure successful implementation, long-term maintenance, and sustainable operation of the upgraded drainage infrastructure.
NDIA Head, Mr. Wordsworth highlighted the urgent need for intervention, noting that Georgetown’s decades-old drainage system is significantly overburdened. Rapid urban expansion, growing impermeable surfaces, littering and intensifying climate impacts—especially heavier and more frequent rainfall—have pushed the network beyond its intended capacity. To respond to these challenges, the government is pursuing a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. This includes the rehabilitation of existing canals and sluices, construction of new drainage facilities, introduction of enhanced maintenance practices, and the deployment of additional pumps.
Beyond flood mitigation, the initiative forms part of a broader transformation of the capital, which will include the upgrade of roads, parapets, and parking facilities—creating a more resilient, modern, and efficiently managed Georgetown.
Members of the public can still share their feedback via the following email: nationaldrainagetaskforce.gy@gmail.com
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