-resulting from farmers outstanding debts
MANAGEMENT of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) has notified farmers and proprietors in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) who owe the Authority drainage and irrigation charges that re-possession and re-allocation of the lands will begin unless they honour their outstanding debts. By way of full page advertisements in sections of the media, the MMA has listed those persons who are in default.
In a statement, General Manager Aubrey Charles has indicated that the entire maintenance programme is in jeopardy of being suspended, unless the drainage and irrigation charges are paid, as there will be no money to pay the maintenance contractors for the channels or to maintain the structures, machinery and equipment.
Charles took pains to point out that the MMA/ADA had, in the last few months of last year and the early months of this year, done a great deal of field work to provide essential services to the farmers within the Abary/Berbice and Mahaicony/Abary sub-regions.
He made mention too, of the extensive work done during the recent heavy rainfall, noting that Government had provided much assistance.
He claimed that many persons however, continue to rent out State Lands at lucrative rates, without paying the relatively small drainage and irrigation charges.
The outstanding accounts, as a result, have accumulated over many crops.
Farmers, he said, are therefore well advised to clear their accounts before it is too late.