$1.3B in contracts signed for construction of drying facilities, drainage sluice

As it continues to execute its 2021 capital programme, the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday signed more than $1.3 billion in contracts for the construction of several paddy drying facilities, drainage sluices along with an agro-processing facility.

The contracts were signed in the Ministry’s boardroom in the presence of the subject minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The minister made it clear to the contractors that the government will not extend the contract period as he urged them to commence works immediately as the projects are vital to “the development of the agriculture sector.”

“It is a lot of money that the government and we hope we get value for money,” he continued.

The contracts are as follows:

Under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA):

– Construction of a pump station at Andrews, Essequibo Coast by H Nauth and Sons to the tune of $532M

– Rehabilitation of a pump station at Adventure, Essequibo Coast by D Sawh Mechanical Workshop to the tune of $446M

– Construction of a drainage sluice at Copoey, Essequibo Coast by M. Sukhai Contracting Services to the tune $259M

Under the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB):

– Construction of drying facility at Blackbush Polder by A&J Construction Services to the tune of 16M

– Construction of concrete drying floor at Benab, No. 63 village, Corentyne by H Nauth and Sons to the tune of $16M

– Construction of drying floor at Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara by TVS Engineering, Contracting & Construction Establishment to the tune of $16M

– Construction of drying floor at DeHoop, Mahaica by NP Investment to the tune of $17M

Under the Guyana Marketing Corporation:

– Construction of a processing facility at Fort Wellington, Region Five by DBL Contracting and General Supplies to the tune of $22M