Gov’t boosting capacity for D&I improvement programme
more long-boom excavators procured
Georgetown, GINA, December 18, 2007.
Emphasis continues to be placed on the procurement of more machinery and equipment that will boost Government’s capacity to respond and strengthen the country’s drainage and irrigation system in a timely manner.
This was highlighted today at the handing over of three long-reach KOBELCO excavators to the Ministry of Agriculture from the Neal and Massy, Guyana, Associated Limited Industries (AINLIM) by the company’s Chief Executive Officer Lakhnarine Shivraj to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at Ruimveldt.
The equipment, valued approximately $137M was purchased by Government to enhance its fleet of machinery to carry out D&I works in various crucial areas such as the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), the Boerasirie Water Conservancy and on the East Bank Demerara.
The supply contract for the excavators was signed last October with a scheduled delivery deadline in February. However, the supplier had promised to deliver the machines by December.
Minister Persaud commended the supplier for the early fulfillment of his promise which indicates the level of awareness of Government’s efforts to strengthen the D&I system. Over the past 15 months, Government has invested significantly in the procurement of more equipment to shift its dependency from contracting its D&I projects.
This is to ensure improved quality of work, enhanced ability to respond promptly to crucial areas and to do more work with limited resources available. It is also part of the programme to help Guyana adapt to the impact of climate change with regard to continuous improvement of the D&I system, according to Minister Persaud.
Reference was made to the system’s capacity to take off 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall in 24 hours as compared to four and five inches being experienced during short, heavy downpours. As a result of efforts by the administration to improve D&I, many areas have been able to cope with more than 3 inches of rainfall in 24 hours since accumulated water was quickly drained with the aid of pumps, sluices, kokers and other structures.
Shivraj also highlighted the importance of the D&I improvement and maintenance programme and commended Government and Minister Persaud for the efforts to ensure that the system is prepared to deal with the rainfall, which he described as an ‘act of nature.’
Chairman of AINLIM Deo Persaud gave the assurance of the company’s commitment to partnership with the administration whenever necessary, to boost the D&I system and continue the ongoing programme.
Government’s investment in more equipment is part of its wider focus on long-term improvement of the D&I system. At present, there are 15 pieces of equipment operating within the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Agricultural Development Scheme while an additional 21 is owned and operated by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
The excavators are deployed across the country in areas such as Pomeroon and Corentyne where they are being used to empolder farmlands, construct embankments and dig drains among other important works.
Reference was made to more long-term activities such as completion of the MMA Phase II which is estimated to cost US$60M and further strengthening of the conservancies where improvements are ongoing.
Additionally, under a US$5.3M Conservancy Adaptation Project, efforts will be made to further strengthen the EDWC with activities such ass various technical surveys and assessment crucial to development of long-term interventions planned for the conservancy.
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