Flood response, $480M farmers’ aid expose holes in Opposition’s neglect claims – Councillor

…describes social media videos as “pure wickedness”

Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice Regional Democratic Councillor Inderjeet Persaud has rejected claims of Government neglect in the Mahaicony River, pointing to drainage works, farmer support and recent flood interventions. Speaking at Thursday’s statutory Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting, Persaud accused United States (US) sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed of misrepresenting the situation through videos showing residents holding placards and claiming that little or nothing has been done for farmers in the riverine communities.

The councillor said the videos have been appearing on a social media page operated by Mohamed. Persaud, a former teacher and veteran cricket commentator who himself lives in the Mahaicony area, was particularly critical of the message being conveyed. “I see that video as pure wickedness and to take away positive things that the Government has been doing and continues to do in Mahaicony River,” he told the RDC. Persaud said hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on flood-mitigation and drainage and irrigation works in the area, including the cleaning of drains, building of dams, activation of canals and improvements to water management. Persaud acknowledged that flooding remains a problem but argued that those interventions have prevented an already vulnerable riverine area from experiencing far more severe consequences.