Alexander Village/West Ruimveldt drainage issues to be addressed

― Communities Minister to engage MCC

― residents called on to stop dumping waste irresponsibly

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 14, 2019

Residents of Alexander Village and West Ruimveldt will soon have their drainage issues addressed. This was the assurance given by the Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan following a walkabout in the two communities this evening.

Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan listening to one of the concerns of a resident of Alexander Village.

Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan having a firsthand look at the drainage situation in Alexander Village along with a resident of the community.

Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan viewing one of the clogged drains.

During that exercise, the Communities Minister witnessed firsthand the current situation that affects residents whenever it rains. Several drains were clogged with garbage due to the negligence of some of the residents in the communities. These include the canal on West Ruimveldt Front Road and the drain bordering Yarrow Dam.

“Because of my visit here this afternoon, I am a bit more informed and meet with the mayor and some of his councillors, as well as the city engineer department, to discuss in particular, a more robust programme for the drainage that is having a severe adverse impact on the residents,” Minister Bulkan stated.

However, he noted that while the government is doing its part, it is unfortunate that residents are guilty of practices that are detrimental to the environmental integrity of the area. The Communities Minister observed that there was indiscriminate dumping of waste into the drains.

He pointed out, while the City Council cleans the drains, the behaviour of a few citizens is leading to almost immediate siltation and blocking of the drains.

“From what I see, we have to get the residents to understand the importance of practising safe residential habits… I was able to see there is construction work in progress and the sand that is being brought in is dumped on the road, and it blocks the drain and what it requires is robust enforcement by the city engineers and building inspectors,” the minister stated.

This enforcement, he acknowledged, needs the support of the central government, which includes financial and technical measures to be implemented to ensure a more robust system.