Farming in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) was given a boost following the signing of a US$1.95M contract for the rehabilitation of the Canals Polder control structures and access roads.
The signing of the contract took place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday and the contract was awarded to Falcon Transportation and Con-struction Services. It is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and is part of the Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP).
The contract includes construction of 58 culverts, a main outfall sluice, 14 bridges, and 800m in revetment works as well as the construction of 20.85 kilometers of road, the latter being built to improve the efficiency of farm- to-market access.
Following the signing of the contract Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud stated that the administration, farmers and other stakeholders involved in the project have great expectations for its outcome. He said that the Ministry will not settle for less where the outcome of the contractor’s work is concerned. To this end Persaud noted that quality work is expected to be undertaken by the contractor within the 20-month period. He also noted that the Agriculture Ministry is inviting farmers and stakeholders involved in the agriculture sector to monitor and provide feedback on the status of implementation of agricultural projects across the country.
Region Three chairman, Julius Faerber related that the Canals Polder project will be beneficial to farmers in the area. Faerber also said that the cash crop farming and sugar cane cultivation are key activities practised in the area, the latter being done on a large scale.
He said the venture will also improve the standard of living in the area and, like Persaud, he noted that the project will be monitored to ensure quality work is done.
Chairman of the Canal Polders Water Users Association, Ramanand Persaud said that the awarding of the contract is a great moment for residents in the Canals Polder area, noting that persons are already ‘going back to the land’. He commended the Agriculture Ministry as well as the IDB for exploring the venture.
The ADP is financed by a loan from the IDB which was signed on April 6, 2008 and ends on April 5, 2013. Total funding for the programme amounts to US$21.19M.
