Dozens of Region 9 residents to benefit from NDIA interventions

Hundreds of residents of Massara, Aranaputa, Rupertee, Annai Central and surrounding Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) communities are set to benefit from a million intervention by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
Chief Executive Officer of NDIA, Frederick Flatts, is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying, “for the first time in the history of the NDIA, there is now a resident engineer and equipment stationed in the hinterland district.”

Asked to detail the works taking place, Flatts said, “In Massara, we have been digging a large lake for them, in which the community will be able to rear fish; something they’ve really wanted for decades.”
In addition, a smaller pond is being dug in Aranaputa to allow cattle access to water and residents to rear fish during El Nino periods, while in Rupertee a creek is being cleaned to allow cattle access to water and people to catch fish. “The residents are very happy with what we have done so far,” Flatts said.
According to the Department of Public Information, the works which have been delayed by recent floods in the hinterlands, are almost 80 per cent complete.
Through the Agriculture Ministry, Government’s focus is aimed at encouraging diversification of food production in the hinterlands while developing it as Guyana’s new agricultural frontier.