Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha yesterday recommissioned the Andrews Pump Station which is aimed at enhancing drainage and boosting agricultural productivity in Region Two.
The rehabilitation of the pump station was executed by contractor, H. Nauth & Sons, under the supervision of consultant, CB & Associates Inc, at a total cost of $528,050,550.
The commissioning came a year after the original completion date.
The new pumps will service approximately 10,000 acres of farmland, predominantly used for rice and cash crop cultivation. It replaces an older system that lacked the capacity to support the increasing agricultural activity in the region. The project included the installation of one 80-cusec [a unit of flow (especially of water) equal to one cubic foot per second] pump in the existing basin and two new 100-cusec diesel-powered pumps, significantly increasing the station’s drainage capacity. It also provides a new solar-powered operator house.
Evergreen to Westbury will be covered by the pumps. The original project duration was 27 months. The date of award was September 27th, 2021 and the date of completion was to be December 27th, 2023
Speaking at the pump station site Mustapha highlighted the government’s broader efforts to modernize the agricultural sector.
“We are improving the livelihood of farmers. This project is only one step in our larger effort to modernise the agriculture sector. Together, we are building a more sustainable future for the agriculture sector,” he stated.
The Minister also noted that over 500 shade houses have been constructed across the country as part of the government’s investment in agricultural innovation. He emphasised the Ministry’s collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to deliver critical infrastructure.
“This is just another commitment we have made to our country and the people on the Essequibo Coast, and we are delivering on it,” Mustapha affirmed.
He added that the government is resuscitating neglected industries, including the sugar sector, with efforts underway to make GuySuCo profitable once again.
In a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mustapha was reported as saying that while there were unavoidable delays due to several factors, the project was completed, and that an additional four pump stations are scheduled to be commissioned in the coming weeks.
“The Chairman of NDIA spoke about some of the factors contributing to the delays with this project. While the naysayers may want to speak on these delays, I have news for them. We’ve also commissioned pump stations at Adventure, Greenwich Park, and Cozier. Another four pump stations will also be commissioned in the coming weeks. Approximately ten pump stations will be commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority in less than four years,” he said.
Mustapha also said that investments are also being made to rehabilitate critical sluices and canals in the region.
“We met with the small contractors. I told them that certain standards had to be met to maintain the canals. They said they needed help to excavate the canals. We then budgeted over $119 million to help these contractors so that farmers could benefit from irrigation,” he added.
Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj, reiterated the government’s commitment to listening to residents and addressing their needs. “The commitment was made to ensure the residents living at Andrews receive improved drainage,” Ramraj said, highlighting ongoing transformations across all sectors in Region Two.
And Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva expressed gratitude on behalf of the Regional Democratic Council, acknowledging the Ministry’s efforts to address the challenges faced by farmers. She praised the NDIA’s role in driving significant changes in the region.
Farmers in the community welcomed the initiative and expressed their appreciation for the investment, describing it as a vital step toward improving their livelihoods and advancing the agricultural sector.
