$238M in contracts signed to improve drainage

The Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday awarded $238,071,020 in contracts aimed at improving the regulation of water and improving drainage.

One of the major projects awarded is the construction of a head regulator and tail wall at C1 – C6 Area, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon – Supernaam) in the sum of $158,505,000.

The project is intended to improve the regulation of water in and out of the irrigation channels which will reduce wastage of water and improve the drainage of rice lands in these areas.

This project was divided into three lots, one of which was awarded to H.Ramballi General Construction at $38,776,600 and two of which were awarded to Technocon Investment at $59,864,200 respectively.

A similar project for the construction of a head regulator at Reliance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two was awarded to United Contracting & Supplies at a sum of $30,748,300.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said that these projects were requested by residents of Essequibo during President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s outreach in the region.

A contract in the sum of $13,849,800 for the rehabilitation of the drainage structure at Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast was also awarded to M. Sukhai Contracting Services.

Meanwhile, a contract for the construction of an intake structure at Naamryck, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) was awarded to Raj Civil Engineering Constriction at a sum of $34,967,920.

These projects are part of some $605,094,510 in contracts aimed at improving drainage for rice lands and for the construction of roads to improve access to farmlands, among other things that were awarded by the Ministry on Wednesday.

Mustapha told the contractors that the projects must be completed according to the specifications and in a timely manner as the Ministry will not be extending the contract time.