The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is a key institution in Guyana. It is tasked with handling all public matters pertaining to the management, improvement, extension and provision of drainage, irrigation and flood control infrastructure and services in the country. While providing support and assistance to other public institutions dealing with connected activities, it also works to establish mechanisms for improved water use with financial sustainability, equity and efficiency as the guiding principles.
The year 2017 saw the continuation of significant strides in diverse directions with the ultimate objective of strengthening the drainage and irrigation infrastructure of the country. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has not only undertaken several high quality construction projects, but also worked tirelessly to strengthen the Administration, Human Resources, Engineering and Finance sector.
The Authority’s performances for fiscal year 2017 relative to the various project components to date are as follows:
• Construction and rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation infrastructure:
The major activities undertaken under this sub-component are:
Construction of drainage pump stations: at Buxton, Paradise/ Enterprise and Pine Ground, Mahaicony, Rose Hall, Skeldon and Vriendschap, Three Friends Essequibo and Windsor Forest.
Other major activities include: Construction of Sluice at profit Abary WCB, La Grange WBD, Bagotville WBD, Enterprise East Leguan, Triumph ECD, Little Diamond EBD, Herstelling EBD. Completion of Aurora Land Development Project, Excavation of upstream and downstream at No.43 Outfall, Eversham Outfall and Adventure Outfall. Acquisition of two fuel bowsers for the distribution of fuel and one hauler truck to assist in the transportation of machinery.
Development of Rain Water Harvesting in North Rupununi: In keeping with Guyana’s Agricultural Diversification drive, during the dry season, there is a basic need for water in some indigenous communities of Region No.9 for the purpose of household use, farming and livestock activities. This project will benefit in excess of 500 households.
• Construction of the EDWC Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour:
The construction of the alternative drainage outlet at Hope Dochfour will improve the discharge capacity and flood control performance of the East Demerara Water Conservancy. It will ensure discharge directly to the Atlantic rather than through the Lama and Maduni sluices and this will consequently reduce the risk of flooding along the Mahaica Creek and other vulnerable areas in Region 4.
This project is financed under the Petro Caribe Loan Account and the major activities associated with this project and the statuses of these activities are as follows:
• Construction of Channel: Works are 100% completed.
• Construction of Head Regulator: Works are 100% completed.
• Construction of Relief High Level Sluice Outfall Structure: Works are 100% completed.
• Construction of Public Road Bridge: Works are 100% completed.
The major activities undertaken under this sub-component are:
• Construction of building to house operators at the EDWC NRC High Level Outfall Sluice
• Purchase and installation of solar panel at the EDWC NRC Head Regulator
• Upgrade of mechanical system to electrical system for EDWC Northern Channel Head Regulator Gate Lifting Mechanism East Demerara Water
Conservancy: JAPAN GRANT AID The Japanese Grant Aid Agreement will see the rehabilitation of the EDWC at an estimated cost of $1.493 Billion. Rehabilitation of intake structures at Ann’s Grove, Hope, Annandale and Nancy and relief sluices at Maduni and Sarah Johanna (Cunha) has been completed.
Subsidies & Contribution to Local Organization
The National Drainage & Irrigation Authority has received and expended $927,775,000 under its recurrent subvention for the first half on fiscal year 2018.
Employment cost for the first half of fiscal year 2018 has accumulated to $83,897,000 and total other charges being $842,878,000. Upon detailed analysis of other charges, expenditure relative to the respective line items, the primary cost drivers are fuel and lubricants, maintenance of drainage and irrigation infrastructures and other operating expenses, other goods and services purchased, equipment maintenance, operation, servicing and monitoring of machinery and equipment and transportation of same. All activities are being executed according to work plan.
SUMMARY OF WORK UNDERTAKEN IN 2018
• Maintenance of approximately 24,350 rods of drainage & irrigation canals within Wakenaam, Leguan and Cane Grove NDC.
• Maintenance of 106,177 rods of drainage and irrigation channels and canals within CDCs areas such as Greenfield, Hope, Ann’s Grove, Two Friends, Bellfield, Nabaclis, Golden Grove, 
Haslington, Triumph, Friendship, Kuru Kuru, Mocha, Barnwell North, Belle West, Friendship, Lusignan to Vryheid’s Lust Area, Canals Polder, etc.
• Maintenance of 129,376 rods of drainage and irrigation channels and canals within WUAs’ areas such as Cane Grove, Golden Grove/Victoria, Blankenburg/ Den Amstel, Vergenoegen/ Naamryck, Lot 52 – 74, Black Bush Polder, Crabwood Creek, Vreed-en-Hoop/ La Jalousie.
• Maintenance and operation, monitoring and securing of 109 excavators, 47 pumps, 1 dragline, 8 pontoons, etc. and provision of fuel and lubricants for operation of same.
• Repairs to sluices, culverts, revetment, bridges, etc.
2018 PROJECTION: NATIONAL DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION AUTHORITY
In Guyana, the drainage and irrigation system was developed by sugar estate owners along the coastlands to draw water from the marshy backlands behind their estates. The operation system today is still much the same as it was when it was originally constructed. Many secondary drains do not drain directly into the sea but into a facade drainage canal running parallel to the coastline, which drains into the sea through a pair of sluice gates. Drainage for the whole area therefore is dependent on the efficient management of this facade canal. The efficient operation of the system is also dependent on regular maintenance. Canals require weeding and clearing of approximately three to four times a year. If this does not take place, vegetation slows water flow and this causes the canals to silt up more quickly, which further slows the flow. To ensure continuity of the efficient operation of drainage and irrigation canals, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority requested, under its local Capital and Recurrent subvention of $19,305,024,000 for the fiscal year 2018, in addition to $548,802,000 under its foreign components. This was granted and works will commence soon.
CONSTRAINTS
In spite of the great works in the pipeline, the National Drainage
& Irrigation Authority needs to strengthen its
institutional capacity to better manage, monitor and execute its work programme more effectively. One major step in achieving this is to increase its employment, especially in its mechanical department. This department has seen a marked increase in the maintenance cost of equipment and machinery. Another major concern is in the feasibility study and design of projects. Many projects executed by the Authority required variation to complete and even the exact beneficiaries of projects are not properly determined and documented. There needs to also be a proper post completion review of projects to determine if it has achieved its objectives. Another major difficulty is the movement and repairs to machinery and pumps in severely flooded areas due to the conditions of the dams. During the El Nino season, even with the functioning of the pumps, there is a shortage of water supply to irrigate farmlands such as rice lands. The slothfulness of some contractors with the execution of projects has resulted in significant delays and downtime. The NDIA has been encouraging its contractors to complete works in a timelier manner. With regard to the timely awarding of contracts, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has not been doing so, resulting in capital and minor works being held back on major projects.
