Private Sector engages on modernization of G/T Drainage project 

As part of the Government of Guyana’s continued efforts to strengthen the capital’s resilience against flooding and enhance urban infrastructure, the multi-agency National Drainage Task Force today held several stakeholder engagements on the Georgetown Drainage Improvement Project and Action Plan.

The engagements were led by Housing Minister, Collin Croal and Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, who delivered a technical presentation on behalf of the Task Force.

Three key private sector organizations were engaged: the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG).

The discussions centered on strategies to expand and modernize Georgetown’s drainage network, a critical component of the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Croal underscored that the Government recognizes the importance of efficient drainage systems for sustainable urban development, and will therefore be implementing a short-, medium-, and long-term plan to address the city’s infrastructural challenges.

He stated that efficient drainage systems are integral to sustainable growth and urban resilience. He further noted that a holistic approach is being taken that not only tackles drainage issues but also integrates road and parapet improvements.

Wordsworth, along with a team of NDIA engineers highlighted current challenges and proposed solutions to improve the city’s drainage efficiency. The private sector bodies expressed their full support for the initiative, emphasizing its significance to the city’s long-term development and environmental sustainability.

The multi-agency Task Force was assembled by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. In the coming weeks, the Task Force will continue consultations with additional agencies, private sector bodies, and residents of various communities to ensure a collaborative and results-oriented approach.

The schedule for these public consultations will be published in the daily newspapers this weekend and shared on the official social media pages of the Ministry of Housing, CH&PA, Department of Public Information, and other Task Force member agencies.