$6B approved for more drainage pumps, flood relief

The Ministry of Agriculture will install another eight drainage pumps and invest in other drainage support this year after the Committee of Supply on Tuesday approved $6 billion for capital spending by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha was questioned extensively on the allocation for NDIA, which forms part of the larger sum allocated to his ministry in the 2023 National Budget.

Of the $6 billion, the eight new pump systems, including a new station on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), will be pursued while a new engine will be placed at the Montrose pump station.

Further, $4.3 billion as a rollover sum is allocated to the continued installation of 12 pumps.

Aside from the focus on pump systems, Mustapha said that the NDIA will empolder thousands of acres of land in the Pomeroon. This area has been beset by heavy flooding.

He also said that new farm-to-market roads at Buxton, Letter Kenny and other locations, will be constructed.

A new dam and mangrove restoration efforts at Zantzig, in Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice), are also part of the focus on flood relief.