– Hackney Village farmers breathe a sigh of relief
Scores of farmers in the lower Pomeroon are breathing a sigh of relief as the National Drainage and Irrigation Agency (NDIA) will soon conduct a canal clearing exercise in the Moruka/Phoenix Park Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
NDIA will be clearing Hackney’s main drainage canal in the village.
Hackney is a community 11 miles from Charity on the Essequibo Coast and a 25-minute boat ride from the Charity Stelling. Mainly an agricultural community, the clearing of this canal will prove helpful for the residents.
The announcement came during a community meeting in Hackney on Sunday hosted by Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry and Finance Minister, Hon. Winston Jordan.
One lifelong resident of Hackney told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that she has never seen the canal cleared for more than 40 years; her entire lifespan.
The clearing of the canal comes on the heels of a recent visit by the chief engineer of NDIA. The visit was to get a first-hand glimpse of the work that was needed on several canals in villages along the Pomeroon River.
NDIA has been embarking on nationwide canal clearing exercise and has also visited Friendship and Akawini, both communities along the Pomeroon River.
Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry and Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan enjoying some Pomeroon Coconut Water
The clearing of the canal will begin next week along with the clearing of two drainage canals and an access canal in the Pomeroon.
Community residents
During the meeting, Education Minister, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a good life for all Guyanese. She stressed that the only way to achieve this is to meet the people on the ground; listen and engage them on topical issues they need to have addressed.
(DPI)
