DAMS don't just collapse, potholes do not simply appear on roads, sea walls do not crumble overnight, bridges do not suddenly sink and wharves do not just slip into rivers.

Collapse and disintegration of structures like these usually come at the end of a process - except in cases of sabotage or sudden natural disasters - or when something is wrong in the construction or maintenance programme.

Things not built or repaired properly will not last and structures not well maintained will surely collapse.

In the 1970's, a commission probing problems at the then Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC) found that there had been an appalling lack of maintenance at the corporation and that this had led to the deterioration of equipment and the system.

It was told that even routine maintenance was not adhered to and it was only a matter of time before the system was run down.

An investigation is being mounted into the collapse of a section of the East Demerara conservancy dam which led to widespread flooding at Cane Grove on the East Coast Demerara over the weekend.

At the end of it, the public is expected to be informed about what caused the breach which triggered such immense suffering to mostly poor rural people trying to make a living from the land.

Farmers, residents and others though claim that all was not well with the dam at Cane Grove and one local government official felt it was only a matter of time before it was breached. The official claimed that this had been brought to the attention of other authorities but nothing had been done.

Farmers and residents have also given their version of what led to the collapse.

These are concerns that the investigating team would have to take on board and it should make every attempt to get the views of farmers who have an intimate knowledge of the land and the infrastructure put up to protect, irrigate and drain the land.

In agriculture areas, farmers, because their livelihood depends so much on dams and other infrastructure being intact and in good shape, are usually the first to detect when all is not well.

Rangers are usually employed to keep round-the-clock watch on sea defences and conservancy dams and if they are vigilant, they can spot faults cropping up early enough for corrective action to be taken.

Was there indeed advance warning about what was happening at the conservancy dam at Cane Grove?

This is a crucial issue for the probe team and has implications for the rest of the East Demerara Conservancy dam and other infrastructure that should be under close and constant watch.

Knowing the cause of the breach would be of little comfort to those who suffered and had to endure the misery of flood waters disrupting the daily routine of their lives.

Like Ramkumarie, 48, who has had to trudge through contaminated water about 10 houses aback where she lives every day to assist her incapacitated mother and brother.

What those who lost crops and suffered damage would expect is some form of compensation to help them overcome the calamity that hit them as they slept.

It would be a while before the full extent of the damage to crops and homes is assessed and those who suffered greatly could expect some assistance from the Government.

The Government put together a rapid response team to help residents of Cane Grove cope with the crisis and this seems to have been working well.

The breach has been sealed and the flood waters are being drained off the land.

When the land is dry once again, farmers and others will be counting their losses.

And the probe team will be trying to find out what went wrong.

What is important is learning from this experience to ensure that dams and other infrastructure vital to the security of thousands do not collapse as easily as did the section at Cane Grove before dawn Saturday.

President Bharrat Jagdeo, in announcing Saturday that a full investigation would be mounted, promised that those responsible would have to pay for the damage.

A lot of people would be following this investigation closely.