AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said, yesterday, that Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is one of the largest areas for crop and livestock production and has seen massive investments. “We are spending close to $1.1 billion in agriculture infrastructure upgrades and development there. It is an important Region. It is part of our even-handed approach to developing our country,” he stated.
Mr. Persaud said the development, particularly in infrastructure, opens up opportunities for people in the Region to pursue different activities.
He cited the commissioning of the Alness Sluice, last week, which is estimated to make an additional 5,500 acres of land available for cultivation and see the drainage and irrigation (D&I) capacity increased by 48 per cent.
Persaud said the current Administration will continue to respond to the needs of Guyanese people, wherever they may be.
The Regional Chairman, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha said, the Regional Administration has expended $100M to do other works, through the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC).
Among the projects executed are:
* rehabilitation of  D&I systems in Crabwood Creek and Number 52-74;
* development of canals in several areas;
* rehabilitation of 140 community roads;
* major road works in East and West Canje, as well as on the Albion Access Road and
* installation of street lights.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Mr. Lionel Wordsworth said, in the past year, four sluices, similar to the one at Alness, were put in place at Moleson Creek, catering for 12,000 acres of farm land.
He said a fifth such structure is also being constructed and 82 miles of primary and secondary D&I channels were completely rehabilitated to support agricultural activity on 17,000 more acres of land.
Wordsworth added that other big projects are ongoing in Yakusari and Johanna, Black Bush Polder, where flooding is a problem.
He said the Agriculture Ministry’s Sector Development Unit awarded two contracts worth $275M, in November, for rehabilitating several structures and constructing others in the two areas.
Wordsworth also informed that the sum of $261M is being spent on the actual construction and rehabilitation, including 12 bridges and one outfall sluice and $14M more for the consultation cost.
He said the consultancy is continuing and works are being executed in the different areas.
“These efforts represent what we are doing in all regions and our commitment to improving drainage and irrigation,” Wordsworth explained.