[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar accompanied by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn visited several areas under water including, Durban Street, Albouystown, South and North Georgetown, and along Sussex Street on Saturday, December 14.
A number of communities in the capital city were flooded as a result of the heavy rainfall on Saturday and according to the President, a lot of the problems are related to drainage.
President Ramotar highlighted that the Ministry of Public Works has been working vigorously to clear the drainage canals to ensure that there is a smooth flow of water and at the same time, bring relief for the residents in the different areas.
During the inspection it was observed that Albouystown was most affected. “The City Council which has more than 900 workers and spend more than $80M a month to pay salaries, I don’t know what they are doing…the Government is ready and willing to assist, but the City Council is not doing anything at all in these areas,” the Head of State pointed out.
There were about two to four inches of rainfall and as such, the Public Works Ministry has four teams working in specific areas in an effort to alleviate the flooding.
He said that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation and plans are in place to map out a programme for the next four to five years to moderate the situation.
“We will have to look at the designs with the City and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and come up with a plan to re-establish kokers and pump stations, and put a programme in place to improve the secondary and tertiary drainage in the communities,” Minister Benn explained.
