Dear Editor,
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Ministry of Agriculture have taken note of a letter published in the Saturday, March 9, 2024 edition of the Stabroek News. Apart from the bias and malicious statements made by the writer, it is clear that the author has ulterior motives and continues to disseminate false information. It is important to note that this newspaper and other local print publications can verify that these pump stations were advertised under open tendering conditions and later awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
Each of the pump stations has a consultant and these consultants play an integral role in ensuring the smooth execution and implementation of the projects and functionality of the pump stations. Based on a thorough assessment by our engineers in the fields, consultants are often involved in the various stages of each project. The agriculture ministry along with the management of the NDIA also hosts regular progress meetings with contractors executing these major projects, to discuss ways in which the completion of these works can be expedited, thus allowing them to honour their obligations. Upon satisfactory completion, these pump stations and drainage structures will be commissioned following the conclusion of the defects liability period.
While the government continues to appeal to contractors to ensure they are well equipped and spare no effort to ensure projects are completed on time, it continues to face challenges that contribute to these setbacks. While some delays may be unavoidable, the government must ensure all of its developmental programmes and projects are implemented within the given time frame. Therefore, like other contracts, provisions were made to cater to such occurrences. As such, it should be noted that default contractors will be paying liquidated damages as set out in the conditions of their contracts as several of these revised extension periods have elapsed. To date, several pump stations are currently under liquidated damages. The NDIA has since informed the NPTAB of these underperforming contractors.
Meanwhile, it is unbelievable that the writer would venture on to say that the ministry was “wasting resources” and that there was “no vision.” It brings great pleasure to note that, indeed billions are being spent and these monies are being injected into projects that will, without a doubt, transform Guyana’s agricultural prospects. The government agrees that farmers should benefit from the financial resources of the country. This is why following the 2021 floods, farmers and fisherfolk were given relief grants in the form of cash to rebuild what they lost. Farmers can have all the money to plant, but if they don’t have the resources like farm-to-market access roads, an effective and efficient drainage and irrigation system, agricultural tools and inputs, land development and expansion, technological research, and other support services then their labour will be in vain. The Irfaan Ali-led administration has been working with local financial institutions to give farmers better access to financing at significantly lower interest rates.
Further, at the level of CARICOM, steps are being put in place to introduce an insurance product for farmers in Guyana and across the region. The writer used a poor example when comparing the prices of two commodities; one produced locally and one that is imported. The imported commodity referenced is produced on a significantly larger scale resulting in a relatively lower price while the price of the locally produced commodity is based on seasonal availability. While inputs like fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, seedlings, D&I infrastructure, farming tools, machinery and implements, fuel, and extension services are either free, tax-free or heavily subsidized, the global cost of production continues to skyrocket. With the gas-to-energy project soon to come on stream, production costs are projected to decrease by 50 percent.
Agriculture remains the bedrock of Guyana’s economy. With Guyana leading CARICOM’s food security ambitions under the leadership of President Ali, Guyanese, especially farmers can rest assured that there will continue to be investments in the sector with the ultimate goal being to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 percent by the end of 2025.
Sincerely,
Janell Cameron
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Agriculture