The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) yesterday signed contracts for major drainage and irrigation works to be undertaken in Regions 2,3,4 and 5 at a cost of $268.4M.
A drainage sluice at De Willem, WCD, Region Three is to be constructed by Roopan Ramotar for a sum of $153M. The 12-month project entails earth works, reinforced concrete works, construction of GH revetment and Rip Rap sea defence protection. Scour Protection at La Union Channel, Essequibo, Region Two is to be constructed by M&B Construction at a cost of $72.3M.
The contract period is 12 weeks. Earth works, construction of GH Toe Piles and placing of stones are to be done.
In Region Five, rehabilitation of the Bellamy West End Sluice, Mahaica is to be done by Fyuse Hoosain at a sum of $8. 9M and over a 12-week period.
This project aims to improve the structural efficiency of the double door sluice on the right bank of the Mahaica River that serves approximately 12,000 acres of agricultural land.
Construction of irrigation structures at Garden of Eden, EBD, Region Four will be undertaken by Raj Nauth for the sum of $27.9M over a period of 12 weeks.
Rehabilitation of the Kuru Kuru Sluice and Cleaning of the Creek Channel, Soesdyke, Region Four is also to be executed. These structures will improve drainage within the Kuru Kuru area; 300 acres of cash crops and other crops are to benefit.
The works will be done by Fyuse Hoosain at a sum of $6.1M over 12 weeks. The works include earth works, construction of GH Toe Piles and servicing of sluice doors and a lifting mechanism.
The contracts are part of the total capital programme of the NDIA which is close to $900 million for this year. It was revealed that $300 million has already been expended bringing expenditure to the half-way mark.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud urged the awarded contractors at the ministry to deliver on time and with the requisite quality as the timely and quality completion of these drainage works was important in the context of climate change and by extension meeting the developmental needs of the agricultural sector. Persaud said that the construction of the sluice at De Willem will benefit close to 700 hectares of land.
Persaud said that the projects were awarded based on an open and competitive process consistent with procurement law.
It was added that copies of the contracts will be made available to farmers in the respective communities so that they too could help in the monitoring of the works with feedback being provided to the Ministry.
