By Sue-Ann Wayow
ALL major watercourses considered critical by the Ministry of Works and Transport have been dredged and cleaned in preparation for the rainy season.
This was stated by Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan on Friday in Parliament.
In response to a question from the Opposition regarding the works done to mitigate flooding, Sinanan said with over 200 projects being completed.
He said, “The Drainage Division has ensured that the major watercourse under the purview of the Ministry of Works and Transport were addressed under our annual desilting programme.”
The programme was broken down into four categories including phase one or “most critical.”
He said, “These projects have been completed.”
Projects under phase tTwo or “critical” have also been completed he added.
Sinanan said for the projects listed under phase three and phase four, those projects were undergoing.
The minister said, “It is noteworthy that under the desilting programme, a total of 396 projects have been identified for this fiscal year, 218 projects have been completed and a further 178 projects are projected to be completed with the additional funding being allocated.”
Sinanan also said that currently, the Drainage Division has ensured that all pump sites were equipped with functioning pumps both mobile and stationary. In areas of ongoing work, there are mobile pumps stationed if a major rainfall event occurs.
He added that at the time of his response, which was just before 2 pm, there were no reports of riverine flooding or overtopping.
However, the ministry had noted areas of street flooding due to the high-intensity rainfall which occurred over the last two days.
