KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) on July 28, 2015 distributed tools to residents of the North and South Ruimveldt communities in an effort to assist them in their clean-up exercises.
The residents of the flood prone communities received wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and industrial gloves from Neilson McKenzie, the Ministry’s Community Coordinator.
“We have to invest in our people, a mandate I proudly execute on behalf of Minster David Patterson and the Government of Guyana,” he stated.
The objective of distributing these tools, which were donated by Muneshwers Enterprise, is to enable communities to help clear clogged drains and canals - a vital aspect to drainage and irrigation.
Noelle Chow-Chee, chairperson of the Shopping Plaza Community Development Group, said the tools given “will go a far way.” She lamented that most of the tenants affected by flooding have young children; therefore cleaning and clearing the environment is important.
“We come out every Sunday and do our part. At the end of the day, we want the Shopping Plaza to revert to its former glory,” the Chairperson revealed.
Further, the Development Group is currently formulating proposals to build a ball field park and play park, Julie Grimmes-Martin, the Group’s Secretary, added.
The Upper Ruimveldt Empowerment Group was enthused with the additional tools given.
“The North Ruimveldt is a sizeable area to cover so with what was given to us; will complement what we have been using to make sure that our community is cleaned,” he said.
Other communities to benefit from tools include Albouystown, East La Penitence and East Ruimveldt.
Clean up exercise a success story
Mr. McKenzie, who spearheads the exercise, acknowledged that it has been a success story so far.
Currently, he said, works are being carried out simultaneously in Werk-en-Rust, Wortmanville, South Ruimveldt Gardens and Roxanne Burnham Gardens.
“Work in the first two areas involve removing overburden and garbage from the parapets, meanwhile in the latter area, in collaboration with the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority, (NDIA), Ministry of Agriculture, work is being done to clear the Cane View Canal,” he explained. “This section of the canal covers the communities all the way from Meadow Bank and extends to Lilliendaal through the North and South Ruimveldt, Guyhoc and Sophia areas. The intention is to link those canal structures. Working on this section of the Cane View Canal also alleviates the flooding which frequently occurs around the Shopping Plaza area and other sections of South Ruimveldt and North Ruimveldt.”
Clean-up work was previously carried out in the North to South canals in Middleton Street; Campbellville extending to Sheriff Street on both sides of the Railway Line; Kitty which has resulted in flooding woes in the Newtown area being alleviated. With tremendous support from its residents Sophia area is taking shape, as well as, the Albouystown community. All the communities have benefited from improved drainage.
Meanwhile, in Albouystown attention was placed on the alleyways, where a group of persons were provided with tools to clean and clear the alleyheads/alleyways, Mr. McKenzie noted.
“Water from these alleyways and interlocking drains dumps into the Sussex Street Canal which leads into the Demerara River through the Sussex Street Canal. Only emergency works were carried out but the area requires a more thorough desilting,” he added. “Activities then proceeded to the two major canals servicing the East Ruimveldt area, including the one separating the East from West Ruimveldt, with more emphasis placed on the Trench Road Canal. This canal collects water from the East Ruimveldt area and runs it down to the Demerara River. Trench Road’s main purpose is draining water from the East Ruimveldt area.”
Culverts leading to the main drainage canal servicing East and West Ruimveldt were also cleared to improve water run-off.
Generally, communities have been very accommodating and supportive, the Community Coordinator said, however, accessibility to the canals poses a challenge.
Against this backdrop, the Mayor & City Council has been issuing advisory and caution notices to residents who have chosen to dwell on the reserves, constructing fences and other encumbrances close to the canals’ edges.
