On Thursday, the wooden koker door located at Andrews Sluice in the Evergreen/Paradise Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), failed after it came under tremendous pressure from heavy waves during the above normal high tide period.
As a result, approximately 70 acres of rice lands and 25 households in the community were affected by flooding.
After receiving reports of the incident, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha instructed the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to mobilise resources to remedy the situation.
NDIA was able to mobilise the necessary materials and equipment to stop the intrusion of sea water. Stop logs have since been installed in place of the failed kokar door, while flood waters are being pumped out of the system and diverted from the affected areas into the Westbury sluice.
Two engineers from the NDIA and other regional officials are also on site monitoring the situation to ensure further instances of flooding does not occur.
Minister Mustapha also indicated that the stop logs will be in place at the structure until the NDIA is able to fabricate a new stainless-steel metal door to replace the damaged wooden door.
The minister further stated that the NDIA has already commenced the process to have the door replaced, which he added, will be done in the shortest possible time.
