New EDWC channel necessary if country is to rise to challenges of climate change
-President Jagdeo tells gathering during EDWC commencement work

The Agriculture sector is a major contributor to the growth and development of Guyana’s economy and to ensure that the country’s landscape can withstand the effects of changing weather pattern, the Administration has been dedicating resources and implementing measures for adaptation.
            Today, President Bharrat Jagdeo witnessed the start of work on a new relief channel at Hope/Dochfour at the Wast Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) that is expected to significantly change the circumstances of people in East Coast Demerara communities who have suffered from flooding for decades.


President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses gathering at commencement of work on a new relief channel at Hope/Dochfour at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) 

            “Today is a special day for me because it marks the beginning of the finding of a long term solution to people’s problem…what impressed me each time I visited affected persons in these communities were their resilience, and generosity in the face of these adversities,” he said.
             He noted that the initiative is not just a technical solution to a problem, but one which will significantly change the circumstances of people who have been affected, due to there being no alternative to releasing water into the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary areas.
            While expressing his satisfaction for the project, the Head of State said that persons can now look forward to a period of stability, and accumulation of wealth, as there will be no severe flooding after every rainy season and all will not be lost.


President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud unveil signboard at the site of the new relief channel at Hope/Dochfour

            Citing the need for more to be done, President Jagdeo said that the Administration would not be able to completely prevent flooding but to alleviate it. He was at the time referring to questions posed by sections of the media as it relates to the economic feasibility of the project.
            “They would say the Government shouldn’t be building this,  it’s too expensive but I say nothing is too expensive if it will change people’s lives particularly those who live in the MMA areas. No project can be too expensive. It might be difficult to finance but it can’t be too expensive,” he stressed.
            Recalling the hardship people in the community face, due to flooding, he said that the initiative from every perspective will be a feasible one; since it is one of the biggest funded projects directly from Government’s coffers.
            He pointed out that no loan or foreign grant will be taken to support the project but will be financed directly from the Administration’s budget, indicating that the reason this can be done, is due to the diligent management of the economy.
            “The reason we can do this is because we have changed our country in a way where today, the budget has the capacity to finance projects that are of importance to our people; whether in agriculture, education or health care,” he said.


An excavator digging the conservancy

            “There was, a time not too very long ago when the fiscal deficit was 25 percent of GDP and the banks’ payment deficit was 47 percent of GDP. Every four years we double our debt because we had to finance a fiscal deficit that was 25 percent of GDP,” he said.
             The Head of State while pledging his Government’s support, said that today the economy can now boast of a sustainable balance of payment position which is the lowest ever in history.
            The President emphasised the Government’s happiness at being able to finance the project, pointing out that it entailed hard work to arrive at the stage where funding projects could have been done.
            The technical work was also lauded by the President as being vital despite the delay. President Jagdeo recently met with the Japanese Ambassador and it is anticipated that additional assistance is expected.
            Apart from the present investment, approximately $1B has been invested by Government in strengthening drainage works in the MMA areas. This include;- the construction of larger canals, enhancing river defences and rehabilitation and construction of sluices to better manage the country’s water system.
            This, according to President Jagdeo, is critical as it is expected that Guyana will be a major agriculture provider and as such D&I is vital if the country is to succeed in this regard.
            While pointing to the inaction of the developed world as it relates to the lack of commitment to deep emission cuts, he said that the world is on a pathway to an even steeper rise in emission levels and as such, the project is necessary if the country is to rise to the challenges of climate change.