…bringing more land under cultivation

A $45.9M two-door sluice at Alness, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) was commissioned yesterday, and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud expressed the hope that with the improved infrastructure, more land will be brought under cultivation.
“We have to look ahead and plan for the future…we have to act for the future,” Persaud said.
He made it clear that such investments go a long way in preparing for opportunities which lie ahead.
The need for the sluice was raised by residents at a community outreach and supports drainage and irrigation systems in seven communities, Alness included, from Lancaster to Hogstye.
The sluice’s doors are 20 feet wide and 16 feet deep, and its construction has seen capacity increased by 48 per cent to cater for drainage and irrigation needs of the area.
What started out as a single- door sluice later became a double- door structure after a repeated call by residents for the facility and a second study that determined the move feasible.
Persaud said infrastructure to support agriculture is essential to the country’s advancement, considering the sector’s contribution to the economy.
The Minister added that the investment was also made to equip communities with the infrastructure to address emerging challenges, including the climate change phenomenon.

Commitment

According to him, this latest infrastructural development is testimony to the current administration’s commitment to development.
“When we make a promise, we deliver…this is delivering on a promise to the people of the country,” Persaud said.
Persaud said the developments to date are for all Guyanese, moving the country forward by responding to the needs of all Guyanese people.
General Secretary of the Peoples’ Progressive Party , Donald Ramotar, was also present for the commissioning and voiced  sentiments.
“We will stick to our word in continuing efforts for development,” he said.
Ramotar stated that efforts are concentrated where there is a need and he stressed that development is not advanced on the basis of political affiliations or ethnicity.
He pointed out that responding to needs in an even-handed manner is the only way Guyana will move forward.
In Region Six, the General Secretary said the Alness Sluice and other such investments are “indispensable”, in light of the fact that they make more lands available for production and further minimize the impacts of flooding – both needs in that area.

Contribution

The General Secretary noted that Region Six has played an important role in the development of the economy and, with massive investments over the years, is poised to increase that contribution.
According to him, there is a heightened level of economic activity taking place, particularly because of the Berbice Bridge and other infrastructural advancements.
“It is quickly developing into a hub for agricultural and industrial production,” Ramotar said.
In this context, he added that value added is taking prominence, expressly since, for the agriculture sector, the ultimate aim is for agro-industrial development.
Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha said the massive investments, in addition to some $100M in other works done by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), have seen the increase in cultivable lands to 60,000 acres.
Mustapha spoke of an increase in economic activity, in light of all the developments the Region has seen.
These he noted include the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation systems in Crabwood Creek and in the Number 52 and Number 74 areas; the development of canals in the several areas; the rehabilitation of 140 community roads; major road works in East Canje and West Canje, as well as on the Albion access road; and the installation of street lights.
The Regional Chairman said  commitment to the people, most of whom are farmers, is a laudable act by the current administration.
“We have issues to deal with, but we have had incremental development…the future looks very bright,” he said.
Several residents who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle concur that the recent addition to the Region Six infrastructure will advance the region’s vision for advancement and, by extension, improve the livelihoods of the grassroots people.