Critical machinery for GuySuCo as almost $500M in contracts signed

Several agencies that fall under the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday signed a total of 12 contracts amounting to some $491.5 million to advance a series of works in the agriculture sector.

Among the contracts signed, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) sealed nine totalling in excess of $457 million for the procurement of critical machinery as the government moves forward with the planned reopening of several sugar estates.

It includes new mill rollers, mobile lighting towers and retubing evaporators
Contracts were also awarded for upgrades to the Rose Hall factory. Rehabilitative works ranging from pre-milling and milling roofs and structures and others are expected to be undertaken at this estate.

The New Guyana Marketing Corporation and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority also signed contracts for the supply of critical machinery totaling some $18.8 million and $14.7 million, respectively.

Included in those sums are monies for the purchase of two boats and engines to assist 500 farmers in 30 riverine communities with transportation, while the other will be used by the St Dominique Women’s Group to transport ginger in bulk quantity.

While offering remarks at the exercise, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the investments being made to develop the sector shows the government’s commitment the sector.

“So, we are moving and moving rapidly, and I think that several investors now are knocking on the door of Guyana to come and invest in Guyana and the Caribbean following our successful agri-investment forum and sector.

“Since we have reassumed office in August 2020, we have seen budget allocation being increased annually and millions of dollars have been expended over the last 20 months to put back the agriculture sector to the where it was before 2015,” Minister Mustapha told the contractors.

He also urged contractors to ensure goods and services are supplied and executed within the contractual period.

“I want you to comply with the time because we have time to reopen these estates, and also to put critical capital investment in the operating estates,” the minister said.