A multimillion-dollar agreement signed between the Governments of Guyana and India will see the acquisition of several high-capacity fixed and mobile drainage and irrigation pumps to be outfitted in various regions across the country.
This relief to communities is made possible through a loan agreement signed on Wednesday between the Government of Guyana and the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India in Washington, DC.
The agreement was signed by Finance Minister Winston Jordan on behalf of the Guyana Government and Sailesh Prasad, Resident Representative of the Exim
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, and Indian Exim Bank Representative, Sailesh Prasad, signing the agreement on Wednesday
Bank of India.
The Dollar Credit Line Agreement valued at US$4 million, will allow Guyana to benefit from the procurement and installation of eight fixed, high-capacity and five mobile drainage and irrigation pumps, associated spares and institutional strengthening related to the use and maintenance of the equipment.
According to the Finance Ministry, the acquisition of these pumps is expected to reduce the risks of flooding in low-lying areas and will bring relief to residents and farmers whose economic activities are usually disrupted by flooding caused by extensive rainfall and overtopping of the sea defences. The pumps will also provide flood relief to approximately 25,000 acres of agricultural and residential lands.
Residents in Hampton Court and Devonshire Castle in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Den Amstel in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Hope and Nooten Zuil in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Mora Point in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will benefit from the installation of eight fixed pumps within their communities, which will help to restrict flooding in their communities.
Meanwhile, five mobile pumps will provide drainage services to Georgetown and its environs including La Penitence South, Cummings Canal, Church Street, Sussex Street and South Ruimveldt. These mobile drainage pumps will be assigned to various locations close to existing sluices in the city and its surrounding areas. The pumps will also be deployed to other areas to alleviate flooding whenever necessary. The signing of this agreement is yet another gesture of the support from the Government and the people of India to assist the Government of Guyana to achieve its socio-economic development goals.
