A New Capital Required

Dear Editor,
Now that it is clear to all in Georgetown the extent of the flood plain in which a large section of the Capital sits, it is time to plan ahead. The combination of sea level rise and flood plain expansion requires a shift in placement of key institutions and infrastructure. Investing in higher ground locations should now be a top priority for infrastructural investment planning.

In the past, the mention of a new Capital located further inland has been briefly discussed, but the planning for this has not started to take root as seen in the current budget.
Investment in improved sea defence, drainage and irrigation is also pending as the impact of flooding continues to slow development on the coast. The Administration now has the opportunity with the increasing availability of funds to develop and implement a new plan that will place future investment on a path that takes the majority of the population and key institutions out of the flood plain.
A high level of agility will be required to make this shift and it is becoming more evident each rainy season and high tide that the Capital and other affected areas are running out of time.

Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana