The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday signed a number of contracts to the tune of $1.13 billion as part of its 2023 capital programme.
The contract-signing ceremony was held in the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture and was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, contractors, engineers, and other officials of the ministry.
Seven contracts were signed on behalf of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for the supply of critical equipment and other material as part of the government’s efforts to revitalize the sugar industry.
Among the major GuySuCo contracts is a $165m deal with Game Equipment LLC for the supply of four 195 hp 4-WD articulated agricultural tractors. A $224m contract has been struck with General Marine Company for 12-inch, 305 mm diameter High Density Polyethylene Corrugated Drain-age Tubes. The Ministry said that these will be used to drain cane fields. The tubes are installed after tillage has been completed. The ministry said that if the tubes are not installed “water will accumulate in the field and kill the cane plants”. Two contracts worth $75m were also clinched with Massy Motors Limited for the supply of seven tractors to the Albion and Blairmont estates.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) signed 13 contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure. For the NDIA, M Sukhai Contracting Services secured a contract for $70m for the rehabilitation of the access road at Onderneeming Phase II, Essequibo Coast. Various contracts were awarded for the rehabilitation of NDIA pontoons including one to Roopan Ramotar for $44m.
Other contracts were signed by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), the Fisheries Department, and the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary–Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) for the supply of material, construction. and the provision of services.
According to the minister, “MMA is the premier agriculture scheme in the country, we are in the current crop, reaping, 75,000 acres of rice that were cultivated. For the second crop we increased to 105,000 acres… We are hoping to see rice production increase tremendously. Roads and pen programmes are in the making for the quarantined sheep and very shortly the programme will be rolled out for the registered farmers. GMC is looking to ensure that we move away from the primary production, [while] 12 agro-processing facilities will be available across the country in all regions. The NDIA works are ongoing, we are currently building a number of pumping stations and we have approximately 2 pumping stations that were toll over. Fisheries did a number of rehab works at landing sites and 75 landing sites will be available this year. The production of prawns in regions Five and Six, brackish water shrimp 120,000, and an increase will be made in shade house activities.”
Mustapha also told the contractors, “We are moving at a fast pace, so ensure you realise the objectives of the government and also the Ministry of Agriculture.” He also urged them to work together, commence on time and abide by all the rules.
