Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, alongside the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, convened an important meeting today with stakeholders from the town of Linden to discuss pressing issues related to flooding and long-term drainage planning, held at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Chaired by the Prime Minister, the meeting featured a diverse group of representatives, including the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud; officials from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); the Regional Democratic Council’s REO, Mr Dwight John; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira; Town Clerk Lennox Gasper; and representatives from Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc and the Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI).
The primary focus of the meeting was the immediate, medium, and long-term flood mitigation strategies for the town. The Linden delegation also brought to light ongoing challenges in various areas that require urgent attention.
Addressing these concerns directly, Prime Minister Phillips underscored the necessity of a comprehensive approach.
He stated that the Government is acutely aware of the impacts of flooding on the residents of Linden and is “prepared to continue meeting because we are interested in the actions taken and are monitoring the progress. We know we will have to take additional actions as we identify all things that need to be done, and we will get it done. We know that we have to meet, and we will continue to meet with you, the stakeholders.”
Among the actions discussed were flood investigations and site assessments to be conducted by a team of engineers from the Ministry of Public Works’ Special Projects Unit, NDIA, and other relevant stakeholders.
Mr Figueira will lead a flood investigation assessment in Linden tomorrow. The team will visit flood-prone areas identified during the meeting to ascertain immediate action steps.
With regard to drainage and irrigation improvements, it was agreed that specific areas in Linden, such as Five Corner, would receive priority attention. Enhancements to drainage—including the clearing of clogged culverts and the conversion of mud drains into concrete structures—will be addressed ahead of the next rainy season.
Prime Minister Phillips and Minister Edghill also deliberated on infrastructure upgrades, including the expansion and reconstruction of vital culverts expected to increase capacity and alleviate future flooding. Furthermore, dredging works in key areas will be initiated to enhance water flow.
Additionally, the development of a Garbage Disposal and Waste Management Plan was discussed, aimed at improving waste collection services and fostering environmental responsibility within the community, as effective waste management is crucial in preventing drainage blockages.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to collaborating with local stakeholders to modernise Linden’s drainage systems and bolster its resilience against future flooding.
He noted that achieving these objectives necessitates a collective effort from all stakeholders, expressing his intention to engage with the notably absent Mayor of Linden, Mr Sharma Solomon, and Regional Chair, Mr Deron Adams.
He remarked, “If we are talking about ongoing development, we, the Government, are all for it, but we impress upon the town’s leadership that we still feel they should be part of the meeting. The Government is prepared to work with all stakeholders to improve Linden and address the issues causing flooding, but we need the elected leaders to be present at discussions concerning the development of Linden.”
Moreover, Mr Figueira expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue during the meeting.
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