$112M pumped into Region 6 to boost D&I

– 8 mini-excavators given to NDCs

The Government has provided eight mini excavators, valued at approximately $112 million, to local authorities in Region Six, (East Berbice-Corentyne) for enhancing drainage and irrigation (D&I) efforts.
The handing-over ceremony on Saturday, marked another step in fulfilling the administration’s commitment to equipping all Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipalities with the necessary machinery to mitigate flooding, and support agricultural activities.
Region Six Chairman David Armogan speaking at the handing over ceremony held at Tarlogy, said that the acquisition of these machines is part of ongoing efforts to improve drainage infrastructure, which has been a long-standing issue in the region. He pointed out that flooding has been a major challenge due to inadequate drainage systems and a lack of machinery to maintain canals and trenches.
“The Government has been making tremendous contributions to the development of Berbice in every sector – whether it is infrastructure, agriculture, education, or health. The investment in these excavators will help mitigate flooding and ensure faster drainage of water, ultimately benefiting residents and farmers,” Armogan said.
He noted that the Government is seeking to provide assistance in every area of human development.
“Today we can say that the investment that the Government has been making in this region has been making people happier than they were previous to the last four years.”
He pointed out that flooding has been a problem in the region when it rains because there are not enough machines to clean internal drains in residential areas.
“Once you have more than two inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period, there will be some amount of flooding, especially when the drainage system is blocked. Government, recognising this problem… have been sending machines to the region, and we have been hiring machines from time to time to make sure that we clear the drainage system. Once that has happened we find that the water gets out very quickly from the land,” the Chairman explained.
The chairman also stressed the importance of proper maintenance of the equipment, to ensure their longevity and effectiveness in serving the region.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha noted that the Government continues to empower the Local Authority Areas by providing essential resources. He added that by strengthening the capacity of NDCs, they will be better able to carry out their responsibilities and improve overall service delivery in their communities.
“As a Government, we always strive to bring relief to the people, and we have done so across various sectors. These investments are crucial in improving the quality of life for residents, and we urge them to recognise the development taking place,” Mustapha noted.
handing over of the mini excavators, together with a fleet handed over to the region last year, means that all 19 NDCs and three municipalities will have their own excavators.
NDCs and municipalities will be responsible for the work schedule of the machines, while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be responsible for providing fuel and paying the operators.
Region Six now joins Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where all of the NDCs will have a mini excavator to carry out D&I work in residential communities.
According to Mustapha, the focus will now be on equipping NDCs in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West).