Close to $2M spent on clearing Belladrum canal

-residents, farmers no longer under seasonal threat of flooding

Both residents and farmers in Belladrum, West Berbice, have received a respite from seasonal flooding after close to $2 million worth of works was carried out on a main drainage canal in the community.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release yesterday, this action was taken following a meeting with the residents and farmers of Belladrum and the Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

During the meeting, which was held in the village last Saturday, residents complained bitterly of the blatant neglect to critical drainage channels over the last few years, which results in flooding of several communities during the rainy season.

Subsequently the minister instructed officials from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to facilitate works on a number of drains and canals in the area. In less than seven days, NDIA was able to deploy the requisite resources to commence critical works on the AD 60A main drainage canal, which is over 3.4 miles long.

Mustapha remarked that the time when Government officials would make empty promises to people can be considered a thing of the past.

The DPI stated that the works which are currently ongoing, are expected to cost approximately $2 million and will benefit over 1,000 acres of farm lands upon completion.

NDIA will also be carrying out works to have a residential drain cleared within the next few days, the release added.