$144.5M machinery commissioned to improve drainage in Pomeroon

…$491M in contracts signed for other agricultural development works

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Thursday commissioned a pontoon and two long-reach excavators to assist with executing a series of much-needed drainage work in the farming communities in Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The pieces of equipment were procured at a cost of $144.5 million. Minister Mustapha said that the equipment represents another fulfilled commitment made by the Government to the farmers.
He said that over the last two years, Pomeroon has suffered from prolonged flooding and the equipment will also be used to improve the river defences. A work programme will be developed and executed by a management committee comprising farmers and other officials from the various farming communities along the Pomeroon River.
Additionally, the sector will be progressing with new developmental initiatives, after the signing of 12 contracts for agencies attached to the Agriculture Ministry on Friday.
These initiatives carry a total value of $491,567,360. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) signed nine contracts totalling in excess of $457 million for the procurement of critical machinery as the Government moves forward with the planned reopening of several estates.
The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) also signed contracts for the supply of critical machinery totalling some $18,895,000 and $14,700,000, respectively.
While offering remarks at the signing ceremony, Zulfikar Mustapha said the investments being made to develop the sector shows the Government’s commitment to developing the sector. He also urged contractors to ensure goods and services are supplied and executed within the contractual period.
Only in March, several agencies under the Agriculture Ministry had signed 32 contracts totalling over $2 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of several pump stations and drainage structures, the procurement of critical machinery, and the maintenance of several canals across the country.
Following in April, a contract was inked between the Agriculture Ministry and Gaico Construction and General Services Inc to the tune of $500 million for the dredging of the Pomeroon River. This along with 24 other contracts were signed the same time.
Agriculture is one of Guyana’s prime sectors, and received in excess of $22 billion 2022 national budget.