– as part of a larger $254 million project
THE National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) yesterday commissioned a rehabilitated pump station at Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara, part of a larger $254 million project within the Golden Grove-Victoria area.
The project is part of the Agricultural Support Services Project (ASSP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, according to CEO of the NDIA Mr. Lionel Wordsworth.
He said the project represents the kind of investment that the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture,  is making in the agriculture sector. Wordsworth said that a similar project is to be executed at Black Bush Polder in Berbice.
He said too, that there will be a new sluice built at Buxton and a new pump station at Greenfield, both East Coast Demerara communities. The rehabilitation of three pump stations at Victoria, Craig Milne and Cane Grove cost a total of $161 million.
Wordsworth said that about 20 percent of land clearing activity is left for completion in the backlands of Victoria and adjoining villages and these works would be completed shortly.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Mr. Robert Persaud said the improvement of the drainage and irrigation structures in the village is hoped to catalyse a very vibrant agriculture sector.
He said Government takes the issue of food production and providing opportunities for all very seriously. “We hope that it will generate incentives for the young and old,” the Minister said.
He also spoke of the opportunities that have been presented with the upward movement of food prices in recent months, indicating that Guyana’s farmers can take advantage of these. The Minister said that many countries are counting on Guyana to meet its full potential in agriculture productivity.
“We are setting the foundation for farmers to produce and take advantage of the opportunities. I want to give you a commitment that we will be receiving several excavators and bulldozers,” he said, adding that one of the bulldozers will be dedicated to clearing and developing farm to market access roads.
“I like the call for the community to take ownership [of the works being done],” the minister said. He added, “With all that is being done, if the farmers do not go back to the land, the investments will not be worth their while.”
Speaking in admiration of the approach of the community which has a strong community development group, the Minister said that they must ensure that Victoria becomes a model community for others to emulate. He said that the response of the people of Victoria to the Government’s mangrove project has been exemplary.
“We are fearless in investing in people’s lives,” he said, noting that people must never let detractors and distracters get the upper hand.
Chairman of the Victoria Reconstruction Trust, Mr. Desmond Saul, in an uplifting speech to the members of the community and to the Minister and his team of professionals, said the village is willing to work with anyone to be able to move the community forward.
“We have to reactivate the spirit of the 83 slaves who bought Victoria. They went forward with commitment and vigour and we need to do the same,” he said.
The Chairman of the group outlined a number of agricultural initiatives that he said the community would be willing to embark upon with some backing from Government. He said there is no need for anyone to be out of work in the community with all of the agricultural and related entrepreneurial possibilities that exist in the village.
Saul also spoke of pig rearing, coconut production and canning of food items which he said could catapult the community into a coastal supplier of food.