Newly commissioned $565M Greenwich Park pump station to support 5000 acres of farmland

The newly commissioned $565.3 million Greenwich Park Pump Station in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will significantly improve the lives of residents in the area, particularly paddy farmers who rely heavily on proper drainage and irrigation systems.
This is according to the Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Board of Directors, Lionel Wordsworth.
“This project will benefit approximately 5000 acres of farmland and we all know Greenwich Park area doesn’t have an independent sluice and now we have a pump station that will link the drainage canal that runs to the farms. To give it added drainage capacity.”
In addition, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted the tremendous economic growth the region has seen over the years.

“And your region, Region 3, is one of the fastest growing regions in our country. This region is making a tremendous contribution. As you know, although we have seen a depression from 2015 to 2020, today we have seen renewed hope. We have seen renewed investment. We are seeing new projects coming and streaming to Region Three. Many people are now migrating to Region Three.”
Moreover, the Minister highlighted that the region has been a significant contributor to the country’s Gross domestic product (GDP) noting that approximately some 16,000 acres of rice are being cultivated within the region, similarly, he noted that the region has ramped up fruit and vegetable cultivation.

On this point, the minister affirmed the government’s commitment to further bolster the region’s economic growth by investing in additional pumping stations throughout the region which will significantly improve their drainage and irrigation systems.
“We recognise the value that this region brings to our country’s development. We have seen the contribution that regions like these are making to our country’s GDP. Several other pump stations that we are constructing now are in Region Three. And in another year from now, Region 3 will have approximately seven operable pump stations, so that we can get proper drainage in this part of the country Your government will continue to make the necessary investment. This region, as I said, is a mainstay for us in terms of development. But all the regions in our country are experiencing massive growth, massive development” the minister stated.
Meanwhile, in 2021 the Agriculture Ministry signed over $665M in contracts for works to be done to improve the agriculture sector as the end of the Ministry’s project cycle. Among the contracts signed was one for the construction of a pump station at Greenwich Park/Barnwell on the East Bank of Essequibo. It was signed to the tune of $597,851,578 and awarded to Roopan Ramoutar Investments.
The pump station was completed in 2023 however the commissioning of the station was subsequently delayed resulting in the facility being inoperable for several months. The delays were due to issues with the site as well as design changes that were made to extend the lifespan of the structure.
The mechanically driven station is equipped with two pumping units with a capacity to facilitate 100 cubic feet of water per second.