The agreements awarded under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit follow on the heels of the signing of contracts totalling some

$167M last week and another valued more than $1B last month.

The contracts entail the supply of a hydraulic excavator, rehabilitation of structures in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), fabrication of a punt and pontoon for the EDWC and the allocation of a laser land leveller and tractor for the Burma Rice Station.

Associate Industries Limited (AINLIM) has been contracted to supply the long reach excavator valued some $37M to be used in the execution of drainage works in the EDWC.

A&S General Contracting Inc. will fully rehabilitate the Lama sluices at a cost of $49.9M, while $34.7M has been allotted to the Guyana National Industrial Company to fabricate the pontoon which will be used in the EDWC to transport machinery and aid in clearing and excavation of drainage canals.

These projects will be executed under the conservancy adaptation project, whereas the supply of laboratory equipment for the Burma Rice Research Station is within the parameters of the Agriculture Support Services Programme (ASSP).

General Equipment Guyana Limited was awarded contracts valued $8.1 M and

$11M respectively to supply the laser land leveller and tractor

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking at the ceremony at the Ministry on Vlissengen Road, said the projects represent a symbolic move to transform the agriculture sector, bolster drainage and irrigation and support efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change.

He noted that the initiatives complement the objectives of the Rural Enterprise Agriculture Development (READ) and Agriculture Export Diversification programmes.

Persaud also lauded the support of the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the projects and appealed to the contractors to deliver not only quality but on schedule work as thousands of farmers are awaiting the intended benefits.

Persaud pointed out that the punt and excavator will significantly reduce his ministry’s dependence on private contractors and ensure the delivery of quality work.

He explained that the aim is not to eliminate the contractors’ community, but to merely build capacity in the area of earthen work to minimise and obtain more value for money spent.

World Bank representative Mr. Giorgio Valentini, in brief remarks, reiterated his organisation’s support for the projects geared to mitigate the effects of climate change and said he looks forward to providing additional support.
IAB representative Mr. Marco Nicola expressed similar sentiments.