The Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is taking Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton to task for what it describes as an erroneous claim made concerning a koker and channel at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo.
In a release yesterday, the NDIA referred to a statement attributed to Norton in a March 23 Newsroom article titled `Vergenoegen residents in calls for koker upgrades, desilting major canal,’ where he said that he made representation to the authorities for those works to be executed. In refuting his claim, the release pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture was already aware of the situation and that the Minister of Agriculture had instructed the NDIA to commence works.
According to the release, a contract was awarded by the NDIA to R. Boodram Contracting Services for the fabrication of a new door and installation of lifting mechanism. Works, it said, commenced as far back as early March, 2023, after NDIA’s engineers conducted a site visit and assessment.
“The contractor is currently in the process of constructing a new door for the koker while NDIA’s pontoon and excavators are scheduled to clear the outfall channel shortly. In addition, the site has been cleared to make the structure more accessible and works undertaken to have the koker and channel operational”, the ministry said.
In addition, the NDIA also informed that it has commenced construction of a pump station at Greenwich Park/Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo, to assist with drainage in those areas. In November 2021, the Authority signed a contract with Roopan Ramoutar Investments for the construction of a pump station at Greenwich Park/ Barnwell to the value of $597,851,578.
As such, the NDIA stated its desire to emphasise that it will continue to work with all vulnerable areas in bringing relief to farmers and residents, adding, “Given those facts, the Opposition Leader should have inquired and consulted with the NDIA before making any statement.”
The Philadelphia sluice presently provides drain-age for the Greenwich Park/Barnwell area, the release added.
