President Dr. Irfaan Ali yesterday afternoon reassured residents of Mahaicony Creek, Region Five, that his Government would work around the clock to ensure that Guyanese affected by flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall are kept safe and provided with essential supplies.
The President and a small team of officials, including Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Kester Craig; Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal; and Vice Chairman of Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA-ADA), Mohamed Zaid Rafeeoodeen visited the affected communities.
The Head of State traveled by boat to First Savannah, Water Dog Creek, and Gordon Table where he assessed, first-hand, the impact of the floodwaters on residents’ homes, livestock, and crops.
Before visiting the area, President Ali held a high-level meeting with members of his Cabinet, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to assess the way forward.
Mahaicony Creek is one of several areas across the country affected by inclement weather.
President Ali stopped at several houses on the waterfront and interacted with residents. They related to him that they have been battling with persistent floodwaters over the last two days that have invaded their homes as well as their agricultural lands.
The Head of State reassured the residents that his Government’s support would be continuous.
“It’s all the regions we are having this difficult time with and we have to get resources all over. I know it is a difficult situation, but the problem is the rainfall which we don’t have control of and it is not only in one area but in all ten of the regions. So what we are trying to do now is to ensure that people are safe and that necessities are met.”
CONSTANT SUPPORT
The President emphasised that constant support, especially as it relates to infrastructural work, would be provided, which includes increasing the heights of dams. He stressed that the Government’s main focus is to ensure that people are secured.
Rafeeoodeen also echoed the Head of State’s sentiments and pointed out that the farmers are currently being supported by six excavators—three on the right bank and three on the left-back of the river—to secure transport for crops, and to heighten the floor embankment to prevent water from overflowing into the farmlands.
Regional Chairman Ramphal also pointed out that they have since distributed 200 food hampers as well as cleaning supplies in the region.
He said that he was extremely happy that the President has visited the area and is encouraged by the efforts in place.
“I must say that I am very happy with the response of the Government, the Civil Defence Commission, and the collaboration and cooperation that exists within the RDC and the various ministries in addressing the flooding situation here.”
RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
Residents also pointed out that since agricultural lands have been inundated, their livestock have no dry ground to stay on.
President Ali instructed the Regional Chairman to ensure that areas are located for residents to use “to keep their livestock dry and safe”. He also pointed out that the areas should have a localized rapid response team that would be able to respond to the residents’ daily needs, instead of large teams having to travel back and forth from the communities. This, he stressed, must include medical personnel.
