The Industry/Plaisance Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) has acquired a mini excavator to help improve the drainage and irrigation systems within its jurisdiction.
A release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated that the machine was handed over yesterday by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha at the NDC’s East Coast Demerara office.
In his brief remarks, Mustapha emphasised the government’s commitment to developing a comprehensive national drainage system to mitigate flooding, particularly on the East Coast and other vulnerable areas.
“This NDC received a mini excavator to clear the internal drains, while the NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] has been doing the large canals and clearing up the primary systems in terms of the main canals,” the minister stated.
According to the release, government will cover technical and maintenance costs, as well as provide fuel and an operator for the excavator, while the NDC will be responsible for supervising the groundwork and identifying areas needing attention.
Receiving the excavator on behalf of the NDC was Acting Chairperson, Vanessa Benn. She was urged by the Minister to develop a structured work programme, prioritising critical areas and keeping residents informed of planned activities.
Mustapha informed that to date some 35 excavators have been given to various NDCs with several more slated to be handed over to other NDCs. “In the coming weeks we will be giving another set of NDCs on the east coast, east bank, Region Five and some in Region Six; we have already given out a number of them in regions Two and Three.”
The agriculture minister also underscored the government’s efforts to continuously enhance drainage and irrigation across the country, with $73 billion set to be invested in the sector in 2025.
