THE Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) in the Ministry of Ministry yesterday awarded two contracts, valued $275M, for rehabilitation and construction of several structures.
The execution of one, in 12 months, is expected to advance development and make life easier for famers in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, particularly in Yakusari and Joanna.
The deals were signed by the ASDU Senior Civil Engineer, Mr. Frederick Flats, on behalf of the Ministry and representatives of Caribbean Environmental Management Consultants (CEMCO) and Nabi Construction Inc.
The signing was done during the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Farmers Exchange at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder.
Flats explained that the $261M job, to be done by Nabi, is for the actual constructing and rehabilitating of 12 bridges and one outfall sluice.
The other $14M deal went to CEMCO for consultancy and Flats noted that significant investments continue to be made and, to date, total $2 billion for work on drainage and irrigation (D&I) channels, at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo; Den Amstel / La Jalousie and Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara; Golden Grove/Victoria, East Coast Demerara and Crabwood Creek, Corentyne.
He said works ongoing in Black Bush Polder include the clearing of D&I channels, 42 of 72 of which have already been completed.
“We are working closely with the Water Users’ Associations and will be meeting with stakeholders every two weeks to address development,” Flats said.