In advancing the execution of its 2021 work programme, the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday signed several contracts totalling in excess of $340 million that will see enhancement and development of agricultural activities across Guyana.
This included two contracts, amounting to a total of $45,949,100, signed between the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and A&S General Store for the execution of empoldering works to farmlands along the Manicuru (Lot One – $24,032,660) and Dredge Creek area (Lot Two – $21,916,440), Upper Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The project is said to be for the enhancement of the drainage capacity of approximately 400 acres of farmlands and residential areas. These works are to be carried out in an attempt to reduce flooding due to swollen creeks during events of excessive rainfall.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with contractors at the contract signing
Meanwhile, another contract valuing $29,910,000 was allocated to General Equipment Guyana Limited (GENEQUIP) for Supply and Delivery of Tillage Implements. This contact will see the procurement of eight disc-ploughs, six trailing harrows, and 10 four-wheel drive agricultural tractors. Five of the tractors will be used for mechanical tillage, while the other five will be used for operating mechanical rotary drain-ditchers.
The NDIA also inked a contract with Farm Supplies Limited totalling $10,146,000 for Tractor and Fuel Bowser to advance agricultural activities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Ele’s Trading & Hardware signed a contract with the Authority totalling $10,254,147 for supply of irrigation pipes to supply fresh water to approximately 25 farmers in Mountain Foot/Yawong Village in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Additionally, Khan’s Construction and Transportation Services Inc signed a $25,597,800 contract with NDIA for the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation channels in Cane Grove, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). Further, Zeebo and Sons Construction signed three contracts totalling $35,050,730, also for the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation channels in Cane Grove, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Meanwhile, there were three contracts for the purchasing of agricultural equipment for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) all of which were signed for by GENEQUIP totalling at $183,750,000 for the supply and delivery of Tillage Implements to GuySuCo ($29,910,000); 200-horsepower 4-wheel drive agricultural tractors to GuySuCo ($89,170,000); and 100-120 horsepower 4-wheel drive agricultural tractors to GuySuCo.
At the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s Boardroom, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha reminded contractors of the obligation they have to produce the best quality work, even though their main focus may be seeing that their businesses prosper.
He also charged that they ensure the works are completed by the deadline given, since time will not be extended for the contracts.
“… You have an obligation to the country. You have an obligation also to the people of our country to ensure the work that you’ll be doing …quality work… ensuring that these works are completed on time and at the end of these contracts that everyone will be satisfied with the type of work that will be executed,” the Minister stated.
Mustapha also made mention of his Government’s promise of reopening the closed sugar estates, stating that they are working aggressively in persuing the goals they have set.
Budgetary allocations have been made to GuySuCo to do work and prepare for the reopening of closed sugar estates and targets have been set to reopen these estates in phases.
Even though Guyana is now an oil-producing nation, Minister Mustapha said that agriculture in the country is being revived and there has been an upsurge in agricultural works across the country, with a number of persons coming forward to get back into the agriculture sector.
