Recently installed drainage pumps from India are to be fully functional next month after New Delhi flew in two engineers to address issues that had arisen.
A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said that Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday met with Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa to discuss the status of the drainage pumps.
The mobile and fixed heavy-duty drainage pumps procured under a Line of Credit of US$4 million from India last year are currently in the final stages of installation.
Mustapha informed the High Commission that he recently met with the contractor from India and was given an update on the installation.
“I met with the contractor about a week ago. There were some issues that were brought to my attention. I raised them with him and he assured me that by the first week in February we can have all these pumps fixed and working. When that happens, we will be able to move ahead with commissioning the pumps,” Mustapha said.
Counsellor at the Indian High Commission, Vijayakumar Kizhapate, said that engineers had arrived from India to ensure the pumps were fully operational within the given time frame.
“We have installed three mobile pumps at Ruimveldt, Sussex Street and Cowan Street. The other fixed pumps – two pumps were installed at Devonshire Castle and Hampton Court, one at Hope, and one at Nootenzuil. There were some minor issues. Last Saturday we brought two more engineers from India and they are taking care of those issues. Yesterday they said things are coming along alright and that by this week all those minor issues should be resolved,” Kizhapate said, according to the release.
Mustapha also said that with Government working on developing a comprehensive plan to upgrade the country’s drainage system, this year’s budget should see allocations for additional drainage pumps.
“I’m optimistic that with the new budget more funds will be made available to acquire additional pumps because, around the country, there is a need for more pumps. Quite frankly, if we are to properly upgrade the country’s drainage capacity, we have to make these types of investments now,” Mustapha said.
