Lowlands residents promised better drainage and irrigation

Residents of the Lowlands, East Coast Demerara, were on Wednesday afternoon promised improved drainage and irrigation following a visit to the area by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

During the meeting, residents expressed their frustration with drainage system in the community; they also called for rehabilitation works to be done on the main road, and for squatters in the area to be given lands.

Pandit Chamanlall Bhagwandeen, the Vice-Chairman of the Lowlands Community Development Council (CDC) said the current state of the community drainage system poses a serious health risk to residents.

“The culverts are so blocked up that when the rain falls the water is stuck, especially in the southern side because it is stuck there, the water rises and cannot get out.”

He further went on to explain that due to the flooding, there is a stench that emanates from the burial ground.

Ms. Danmattie Bisram, a resident of Lowlands, also complained about the drainage system.

“I’m living here over five years and way down at the back, going to the line, we have really bad drainage. I made a report to the NDC about the third street, that street doesn’t have any culvert. I don’t know if because of the COVID they didn’t come. I think the housing people were around here one time and I complain to them and they said they would look into the matter,” Bisram said.

In response to the many complaints, Minister Mustapha said he will contact the respective ministries to work along with the residents to resolve the issues and bring some level of comfort.

He promised the intervention of the Public Works, Housing and Local Government Ministers to bring some relief to the residents.

Minister Mustapha was accompanied by the Director-General, Madanlall Ramraj, and other senior officials of the Ministry. He assured the residents of Lowlands that all matters raised at the meeting will be addressed in a timely manner.

The Minister also encouraged residents to continue engaging the different ministries on issues affecting them.