Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 19, 2008 Features / Columnists
The Parrot is not surprised at the way some local media houses report on particular issues. Very topical is the intense rainfall being experienced over the last few weeks.
According to reports, this pattern may continue well into January. While rains between now and January are not unusual, what is, is the intensity which has increased over the years; a direct consequence of climate change.
This cannot be taken lightly, and any report on this unusual rain fall must be seen in the context of the changes in climatic conditions.
Some basic facts must be foremost in our minds; Guyana is below sea level, six feet in some parts of the coast; the drainage system which was designed decades ago can only handle some two inches of rainfall within a twenty-four hour period; sluices cannot be opened when tides are high even though water may have accumulated on land in their vicinity.
Given this, it is clear that despite the efforts to improve drainage and irrigation over the years and following the experience gained from 2005, water will accumulate as along as rain fall is above two inches.
The accumulation will be further compounded by the irresponsible behaviour by some citizens who are bent on disposing their garbage in drains and canals. In many instances, these defaulters and those who are witnesses are quick to cast blame on the administration for the accumulation of water.
Very often these are the ones who are “featured” on some news casts “throwing” blame. Many photographs related to the rainy season which were splashed in some sections of the media clearly show the piles of garbage alluded to.
Have we heard or read of any of these media operatives questioning this irresponsible behaviour? No. the reason is simple; the media houses in question have their own “axes to grind”.
These “axe grinding” media houses should ask the City Council, market supervisors and vendors why garbage is allowed to be thrown in the immediate vicinity blocking major waterways?
What about fines for littering? This not only speaks volumes for the inefficiency at City Hall, but also of a seemingly collaborative effort to vilify government despite the best of efforts.
One of the media houses in question, the only one with a “Capital”, has operatives who travel frequently to the US to cover stories that have local ties. Have we ever seen a report on effects of heavy rains there?
Did we see reports of how Guyanese were unfortunately affected by hurricane Katrina and other storms?
No. Senior operatives from this news cast are fully aware that a two-hour downpour in New York City results in flooding, causing major inconvenience to residents. Currently parts of the US have been declared disaster areas after being hit by storms; storms which have been deemed as unusual for this time of year.
This is another indication of the effects of climate change. These are the same “journalists” who lecture others on how to report. They should be reminded to report the facts; report on the efforts by the administration to prevent a repeat of 2005. What are they afraid of?
Afraid to show their foreign sponsors how proactive the administration is in their preparedness for the rains?
Areas where the water is receding quickly must also be shown; in the newspapers too. What? You can’t? These are axes?
Squawk! Squawk!
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 20, 2024
– Elton Dharry and Dexter Marques to headline tonight’s card Kaieteur Sports – The Everest Cricket Club pavilion crackled with tension yesterday as the Guyana Boxing Board hosted its...Kaieteur News – Once a habit has been drilled into you, it returns almost automatically when you return to the setting... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]