Minister Mustapha calls for enhanced monitoring amid heavy rainfall

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has called on all responsible agencies to intensify monitoring efforts across the country following significant rainfall within the last 24 hours.

During a visit to the Liliendaal Pump Station and several sluices and pump stations in and around Georgetown on Saturday, the minister revealed that the city recorded more than 3.5 inches of rainfall over a 24-hour period.

In other areas, there were approximately 145 millimetres of rainfall recorded, underscoring the intensity of the weather system.

The minister noted that special teams, including engineers and technical personnel, have been deployed nationwide to monitor drainage infrastructure, ensuring that sluices, pumps, and canals are fully operational.

These efforts are part of a coordinated response to minimise flooding as rainfall is expected to continue.

Minister Mustapha expressed concerns about operational shortcomings, particularly at the Cowan Street sluice, which was found closed despite low-tide conditions. He described the situation as a serious lapse in monitoring and management within the city’s drainage system.

“The sluice was closed, although the tide was very low. And that shows that there is a serious problem with the City Council, because they are not monitoring the situation,” he said.

He emphasised that sluices play a critical role in drainage, often allowing for faster water discharge than pumps, and warned that failure to properly utilise these systems, especially at key drainage points, could worsen flooding.

The Minister has since engaged Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), with regional officials and technical teams actively monitoring conditions across the country.

He assured the public that authorities will continue working around the clock to ensure all drainage systems are functioning effectively and to minimise flooding in Georgetown and other affected areas.

Minister Mustapha reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting communities, urging all agencies to act responsibly and remain vigilant as heavy rainfall persists.