A contract to the tune of $144.5M for the procurement of a pontoon barge and two long-reach hydraulic excavators was yesterday signed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). The equipment is to be used to execute drainage works in the Pomeroon River.
VR Construction was awarded a contract for $84,561,100 for the supply of the pontoon barge while Guyana Tractor and Equipment (Guytrac) was awarded a $60,000,000 contract for the procurement of the two excavators.
The Ministry yesterday informed that once the equipment is supplied, they will engage in drainage works to clear the Pomeroon River of blockages.
A programme for the clearing of the river has already been put together.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, at the signing yesterday said that the acquisition of the equipment will aid the NDIA in undertaking drainage work in the swampy pegasse soil area.
Under normal conditions, Mustapha explained that excavators were at the risk of sinking. However, the new excavators are said to be lighter and therefore easier to mount on the pontoon to undertake work.
Provisions for the procurement of the pontoon and excavators were made for in 2021 budget.
In January this year, the minister during a meeting with residents at Jacklow Primary, told farmers that they will benefit from improved drainage and irrigation systems.
The farmers and residents who attended the meeting had also highlighted the urgent need for works to be carried out on a number of the drainage canals in the region.
During that meeting, the farmers had emphasised the need for more block drain structures to be installed along those riverine communities.
Residents of villages in the Pomeroon River have been severely affected by the recent flooding. The flooding has decimated farms and livelihoods as water levels rose to heights never before seen or experienced.
During President Irfaan Ali’s visit to the flood-hit communities, he promised to ensure that the district will receive a pontoon and excavators for drainage works.
“We are going to do everything to secure back your livelihood. We are going to do everything to get you back to the farmland; we are going to do everything to help back the household,” he had assured residents during a visit to assess the damage during the floods.
