Flooding severely impairs the health of our citizens

Dear Editor,

We are living in challenging times in Guyana. Nothing is being done about a national crisis that has been affecting our populace before the beginning of this century. The 2005 flood was a wake-up call, but successive governments have unashamedly slept on.

Twenty-one years later, we have just experienced severe flooding in densely populated districts and throughout Guyana, even in the heart of Georgetown. Almost instantly, we learned that the government would usurp the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC)’ role by taking control of 57 streets. This is obviously intended to be a panacea for the flooding, being presented to a dim-witted populace, hence, Guyanese are being underrated. It merely serves as a plaster for a wound requiring surgery.

May I suggest that we seek the assistance of the best in drainage and water management, the Netherlands. They were previously our colonisers, but we must put aside hubris to request their services. As the fastest growing economy in the world, let us move with alacrity and confidence. Let us not recruit from Israel and leave them to fight their war. The Dutch are masterful in overall water management.

Focusing on building, repairing and displaying buildings, roads and bridges is insufficient as a sign of progress. We need a cabinet of technocrats such as Dr. Vincent Adams. We have a plethora of these in the diaspora who still maintain and feel a cultural and emotional bond with their homeland. I could suggest a few. They could be encouraged to return to serve, if provided with the enhanced safety of a home in a well-run gated community, the appropriate emoluments and good schools for their children, to name those things which come to mind. An efficient and effective police force will also be essential. Here again, a fancy building which is now their headquarters, will be a wasteful investment unless its staff are commensurate with its quality.

Flooding severely impairs the health of our citizens due to a poor sewerage and water system. Ill-equipped denizens wading through the floods creates a breeding ground for diseases. The piles of garbage throughout Guyana contribute monumentally to this and serve as neglect and chaos.