Region Nine drought wells slated for September

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, February 14, 2018

As part of continued efforts for long-term relief against the cyclical weather patterns in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) work on the impending drought wells is expected to commence in September.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.

The wells will complement the recently constructed reservoir on Nappi lands and serve as a catalyst for water management making the communities more resilient against the effects of prolonged drought/El Niño spells and climate change.

During a trip to commission the Nappi reservoir, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman explained that this project will be a collaborative effort between the Brazilian army, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Regional Administration.

In 2017, Guyana and Brazil inked two agreements one of which is the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation which will see the implementation of technology to reduce the effects of drought in Region Nine. Under this agreement, nine wells will be drilled.

Minister Trotman said the government is committed to the construction of the wells once the locations for these have been identified. “They [residents] will identify where those nine wells will be drilled, that is a commitment from this government.”

Additionally, during this year a second water catchment area, similar to the one in Nappi, is also slated to be built in the South Rupununi, where there was also acute dry weather in 2015 and 2016.

“We will identify an area that will not be flooded and will not pose any great environmental hardship. The work will hopefully be completed and finished in 2018,” Minister Trotman said.

The Rupununi’s landscape is characterised by the presence of Savannah, forest, freshwater, and wetland ecosystems. Historically, it has experienced several episodes of prolonged droughts, the most recent one being during 2015-2016 with severe impact on food security and the livelihoods of the residents.

Hence, the government has mandated that systems be put in place to ensure that there is long-term relief in addressing this issue.

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur

 

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