GRANGER CRITICISES ADMINISTRATION’S NEGLECT OF MAHAICONY FARMERS GRANGER CRITICISES ADMINISTRATION’S NEGLECT OF MAHAICONY FARMERS GRANGER CRITICISES ADMINISTRATION’S NEGLECT OF MAHAICONY FARMERS

Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger paid a visit to villages along the Mahaicony River which have been affected by recent floods. Mr. Granger, accompanied by members of the National Assembly, Ms. Jennifer Wade and Mr. Winston Felix, RDC councillor, Ms. Carol Joseph and others visited areas from Perth to Strath Campbell on Thursday 9^th February. These communities have been under stagnant water for over two weeks.

Residents pointed out that the biggest problem came not from rainfall alone but from the administration’s lack of preparation, lack of communication and lack of concern for the plight of farmers and families. They complained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic-dominated Regional Democratic Council, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority and Ministry of Agriculture were aware of their plight. Certain named officials, however, openly accused persons who were living in ‘green’ villages of having voted overwhelmingly for A Partnership for National Unity in the 2011 general and regional elections.

Residents pointed out that whenever the Maduni sluice is opened to release water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy, NDIA channels excess water from the Mahaica River eastwards to the Mahaicony River. The canals, however, do not have the capacity to carry the increased volume of water. To make matters worse, the canals are narrow and shallow, the kokers are small and certain ‘green’ areas are given low priority for the deployment of equipment, such as excavators, to provide relief. As a result, farmlands and housing areas along the Mahaicony have been frequently flooded over the past 12 years. 

Mr. Granger called on the PPP/C-dominated agencies which control drainage in the Mahaica-Berbice Region – especially the EDWC, MMA-ADA, NDIA and RDC – to provide relief to all residents in the region, regardless of their alleged political affiliation. He also demanded that residents be provided with immediate relief from their plight and that serious rehabilitation of the river dam, canals and kokers be started to save their crops and livestock.

OFFICE of the LEADER of the OPPOSITION

Friday 10^th February 2012