Insufficient budgetary allocation for sea defence elevates threat to life and property

In a SN Budget Day Report on Feb. 12, the Minister with responsibility for Finance (MoF) unveiled his 2021 budget presentation of a record $383.1B budget with a meager $5.1B (1.33 % of the Budget) allocation to strengthen Guyana’s Sea and River defence capability.

Most of Guyana’s population and economic activities are located along the coastland and upper reaches of the rivers’ banks. Therefore, the MoF cannot unleash rapid economic growth, as he claimed, without the provision of a safe and secure environment. This requires adequate investment in the necessary infrastructures to protect lives and properties from recurring floods, caused by rising ocean levels and a decrepit sea and river defence.

Much of Guyana’s sea and river defence need substantial investment for their upgrade and/or replacement to withstand the increasing erosive and dynamic impact forces which cause breaches and overtopping. The recent breaches with accompanying flooding at Dantzig, Anna Catherina, Essequibo Coast and elsewhere are just a prelude of what is to be expected. If concerted action is not taken to upgrade the system with dispatch, to protect the low-lying coastal and riverine areas from flooding, there will be consequential loss of lives and properties therefrom.

The $5.1B allocation in the budget for sea and river defence is just ‘a drop in the ocean’ and is unlikely to provide the urgently needed protection for those living along critical sections of the coastland and riverine areas from flooding. Therefore, it is evident that the priorities of the newly elected govt. needs revision. Allocation of resources has to be put into those segments of the economy of such significant importance which in turn facilitates the rapid economic growth and development the MoF spoke so eloquently about in his presentation of the 2021 Year Budget.