New infrastructure to provide access for Reg 3 farmers to transport produce

Accessibility for farmers to transport their produce from the riverine communities along the Essequibo River to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) can be expected with the construction of new infrastructure to service them.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill engaged residents within the riverine communities of Hubu and Parika Backdam on Sunday with the intention of addressing their concerns and setbacks brought on by lacking infrastructure.
This decision came after farmers decried that the current wharf, used to transport their goods to the mainland, is situated near a koker. When the sluice is opened, it hinders them from accessing the wharf.

According to the Public Works Ministry, residents were given one month to decide on a number of ideas to be considered by the Government, regarding the construction of either a wharf or a road to serve persons, especially farmers who have to frequently bring their produce out to the mainland.
Once realised, the benefit will extend to Saxacalli, Bonasika, Hog Island, Fort Island and other riverine settlements.
“I am going to ask that from among yourselves, who are going to be the beneficiaries, [to] name five people who are going to work with my engineers and within one month, they have to go through this entire place, review it and come up with the best option and best alternative,” Minister Edghill told the farmers.
The Public Works Minister underscored that building such infrastructure and improving access will ultimately support the 25 per cent by 2025 agenda that President Irfaan Ali is leading in the Caribbean to slash the Region’s food import bill. If farmers are able to produce and transport their goods in a timely manner, the country will be one step closer in leading this change.
“We will look [at] all suggestions to help you come up with a viable solution. Ultimately, what we want is for you to benefit. We want to see agriculture expand…We want you to plant more. We want you to produce more. We want your goods to get to the market but at the same time, we don’t want anybody to lose their life and we don’t want to waste money. We want to be able to do what is beneficial to all the people.”
At the 32rd Inter-Sessional Conference of the Caricom Heads of Government, a special ministerial task force was established and tasked with guiding the transformation of the regional agri-food system towards full commercialisation. A prime focus was to address the rising food import bill and to stimulate investment in agriculture and food production.
By the 33rd Sessional Conference, President Irfaan Ali had presented a detailed plan for commercialising the agri-food sector and at the same time, attaining the vision for reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. Emphasis was placed on countries and their respective target areas.