National drainage task force completes Georgetown consultations; Report to reach President Ali within a week

The National Drainage Task Force has concluded its public consultation phase for the Georgetown Drainage Improvement Project and is preparing to submit its final report to President Dr. Irfaan Ali within the next week.

The multi-agency body was established by the President to advance a comprehensive upgrade of the capital’s aging and overburdened drainage network.

The final consultations were held on Tuesday evening with residents of Constituencies 12 and 14 at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School, and Constituency 9 at the Enterprise Primary School.

These sessions marked the end of a two-week outreach effort that engaged residents and business owners across more than 50 communities in 15 Georgetown constituencies, along with several private-sector organisations.

According to officials, public feedback throughout the process was overwhelmingly positive, with residents providing concerns, suggestions, and local knowledge that will help shape the project’s final design.

The consultation exercise was led by Minister of Housing, Hon. Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry, Hon. Vanessa Benn, and Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). Representatives from other member agencies included CH&PA Chief Development Planner Ms. Germene Stewart; City Engineer Mr. Colvern Venture; Solid Waste Manager of the Georgetown City Council Mr. Walter Narine; Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Mr. Kevin Samad; GL&SC officials Mr. Naseem Nasir and Mr. Adrian Cheong; and personnel from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Minister Croal told residents during the final meetings that the Task Force is now focused on completing a comprehensive report that captures all stakeholder input and technical assessments, noting that this document will be delivered to President Ali in about one week.

Throughout the process, both ministers emphasised the importance of collaboration among central government, the Mayor & City Council, private-sector bodies, and residents to ensure the successful implementation and long-term maintenance of the upgraded drainage infrastructure.

NDIA Head Mr. Wordsworth outlined the urgency of the intervention, explaining that Georgetown’s drainage system—decades old and facing mounting pressure—has exceeded its designed capacity due to rapid urban growth, expanded paved areas, improper waste disposal, and intensifying climate impacts.

To address these challenges, the government is pursuing a wide-ranging approach involving rehabilitation of canals and sluices, new drainage structures, improved maintenance practices, and expanded pump capacity.

The drainage initiative forms part of a broader transformation planned for Georgetown, including upgrades to roads, parapets, and parking facilities to create a more resilient and modern capital city.

Members of the public may continue submitting feedback via email at [nationaldrainagetaskforce.gy@gmail.com](mailto:nationaldrainagetaskforce.gy@gmail.com)