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Gov’t interventions bring significant relief following floods

June 3, 2015 6:34 am Category: latest news A+ / A-
James Street, Albouystown on June 2, which was under significant amount of water

James Street, Albouystown on June 2, which was under significant amount of water

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Engineer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Walter Willis has reported that water has receded from most of the areas of Georgetown which were inundated following heavy rainfall on Sunday.

Willis noted that three pumps have been repaired and were put into operation on Monday; one on Sussex Street, another at John Fernandes Ltd, repaired by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the third at Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt.

Willis also pointed out that all sluices are operating with the exception of the one at Lamaha Street which is being repaired, and a privately owned one at Meadow Bank South, as they are completely blocked.

The engineer observed that all the other 11 sluices are working and discharging flood water, and were only closed for a while when the tide turned back and necessitated this action.

In clearing flood water from other areas, Willis noted that for Queenstown, a pump was used to move water over Irving Street from Queenstown into the Vlissingen Road Canal. This pump was being operated by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and it is responsible for most of the water receding. He noted that whilst the pump has ceased operations for now, it is on standby if the weather changes.

A free flow of traffic at the Cemetery Road area which was under water.

A free flow of traffic at the Cemetery Road area which was under water.

To help residents in the Princes Street area, another pump is being installed at the upper end of the street as there is still some water in that area.

Draining continued in the upper North and South Ruimveldt areas which were also affected.

Meanwhile, Head of the NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth said that the NDIA has begun work on the Cummings Canal and excavators are working in Middleton Street.

Water continues to recede on Homestretch Avenue

Water continues to recede on Homestretch Avenue

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, following his inspection of several key drainage structures in the city on Monday, deemed the neglect of the pumps and outfalls as criminal.

This assessment has revealed the shocking state of the drainage system, including the fact that several of the city’s pumps have been down for a while and that the outfall sluices were heavily silted.

Chief Engineer (acting) Ron Eastman explained that six pumps were down for in excess of one year for reasons including mechanical, to facilitate repairs to the discharge pipes and for engine related issues. [Extracted and modified from GINA]

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Why cannot we get the army engineer corp to be responsible for these pumps. It is an incentive for on the job training and a program should be directed to this end beginning with training in there soon to be formed cadets. It saves on money and improve the  reason to be a soldier...training in a usable life skill.

FM

The US Army Corps of Engineers are brought out when there are floods. The disciplined manner in which they approach the floods etc. makes a big difference. And this happens in many other countries as well. Why cannot it be the same in Guyana. We cannot have a standing army, just drilling and waiting for something to happen. As "Storm" said, it would be good training for many of them, and an example of good service to the country.

 

FM
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Why cannot we get the army engineer corp to be responsible for these pumps. It is an incentive for on the job training and a program should be directed to this end beginning with training in there soon to be formed cadets. It saves on money and improve the  reason to be a soldier...training in a usable life skill.

No to military intervention in civil matters.

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Why cannot we get the army engineer corp to be responsible for these pumps. It is an incentive for on the job training and a program should be directed to this end beginning with training in there soon to be formed cadets. It saves on money and improve the  reason to be a soldier...training in a usable life skill.

No to military intervention in civil matters.

I suppose drilling up and down would be a much better idea while the rest of the population float away in the floods.

FM
Originally Posted by Franky:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Why cannot we get the army engineer corp to be responsible for these pumps. It is an incentive for on the job training and a program should be directed to this end beginning with training in there soon to be formed cadets. It saves on money and improve the  reason to be a soldier...training in a usable life skill.

No to military intervention in civil matters.

I suppose drilling up and down would be a much better idea while the rest of the population float away in the floods.

And in 2020, why not transport ballot boxes, after all GDF have the tucks and drivers.  Militarization of the Govt is never a good idea.

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by Franky:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by Stormborn:

Why cannot we get the army engineer corp to be responsible for these pumps. It is an incentive for on the job training and a program should be directed to this end beginning with training in there soon to be formed cadets. It saves on money and improve the  reason to be a soldier...training in a usable life skill.

No to military intervention in civil matters.

I suppose drilling up and down would be a much better idea while the rest of the population float away in the floods.

And in 2020, why not transport ballot boxes, after all GDF have the tucks and drivers.  Militarization of the Govt is never a good idea.

We are talking of digging canals etc. not transporting ballot boxes. These are special circumstances. This is done in many countries when there are floods, and so far there have been few overthrown governments because of it.

FM

Come on Baseman, you sound like those in T.O who complained when the army was called in due to excessive snowfall.

Countries use their armed forces in disaster relief, Guyana doesn't get hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, it has floods, so why again can't the GDF be used in defending the country from the Ocean?

 

 

cain

Change the system and put soldiers to work in addition to their primary task of defending the nation- let them defend the nation in floods, piracy, banditry etc,etc, let them help in clean-up exercises, time to change things, don't just feed them, clothes them and house them.

FM
Originally Posted by cain:

Come on Baseman, you sound like those in T.O who complained when the army was called in due to excessive snowfall.

Countries use their armed forces in disaster relief, Guyana doesn't get hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, it has floods, so why again can't the GDF be used in defending the country from the Ocean?

 

 

Hey, lets have some "rules of engagement".  I don't trust the PNC/GDF alliance.  Bad history!

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by cain:

Come on Baseman, you sound like those in T.O who complained when the army was called in due to excessive snowfall.

Countries use their armed forces in disaster relief, Guyana doesn't get hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, it has floods, so why again can't the GDF be used in defending the country from the Ocean?

 

 

Hey, lets have some "rules of engagement".  I don't trust the PNC/GDF alliance.  Bad history!

Base. what you have in mind,will it be allowed,now oil is found

near the world number one oil reserve.

Django

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