Gov’t to address community drainage systems in light of overtopping

LuncheonGeorgetown: In the face of the unavoidable reality that Guyana is 2.4 meters below sea level, Government is of the view that a comprehensive address of community drainage has become mandatory.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President thuirsday, said that technical officials from both the Ministries of Public Works and Local Government and Regional Development are in agreement that the state of the existing drainage system, cannot and must not be allowed to continue to be treated as a given.

Dr. Luncheon said that the likelihood of recurrent overtopping episodes beckon the need for a more comprehensive solution to deal foremost, with the management of flood waters; hence the emphasis on the community drainage system.

The Ministry of Public Work’s option to acquire specially designed sandbags and trays to offer mobile elevation of challenged sea and river defences, was considered and endorsed by Cabinet; but it was agreed that community drainage must be prioritised and restored.