GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The National Drainage Task Force continued its series of community consultations on Thursday evening, meeting with residents of Constituencies Five and Six as the government accelerates efforts to strengthen drainage systems across Georgetown.
The engagements—held at the C Field Community Centre and later at the University of Guyana’s basketball court—brought together residents from Turkeyen, Cummings Lodge, Atlantic Ville, Sophia, Liliendaal, C Field Sophia, and Pattensen. Participants raised concerns about flooding, garbage disposal, and long-term environmental management, while offering ideas to improve their neighborhoods.
Housing Minister Collin Croal outlined the first phase of the government’s drainage overhaul, which includes clearing parapets, rehabilitating priority drainage channels, and rolling out beautification projects. He said the interventions are designed to address both immediate challenges and climate-driven stress on the city’s drainage network.
“We are facing the effects of climate change, including intense rainfall. To mitigate these challenges, we must also address the wanton dumping of garbage and work toward meaningful behavioral changes,” Croal told the gatherings, urging residents to use the consultations to help shape solutions.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Vanessa Benn echoed that message, emphasizing that the feedback gathered will guide actions expected to be implemented before the end of the year. “This is a forum that allows you to help us address the issues. We want to ensure that your concerns are heard and acted upon,” Benn said.
Senior officials, including Central Housing and Planning Authority CEO Dr. Martin Pertab, Chief Development Planner Germene Stewart, and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Chairman Lionel Wordsworth, also attended. Wordsworth delivered a technical briefing outlining drainage patterns, major hotspots, and recommended engineering upgrades.
Residents called for a national recycling program, stronger enforcement against squatting, and a more active public-awareness campaign to keep communities updated on ongoing works.
The consultations are part of a wider government initiative to boost drainage resilience in Georgetown and other regions as authorities push to reduce flooding risks and improve living conditions nationwide.