THE government is currently expending approximately $1B to construct pump stations

in various locations around the country to house the eight fixed-side drainage pumps which are being acquired from Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited in India.
The eight fixed pumps, together with six mobile pumps, are being acquired through a US$4M line of credit and are expected to provide a significant boost to the local drainage system.
The minister had advised since May this year that the six mobile pumps were already in Guyana. However, he confirmed more recently that these have been deployed to various locations.
As it relates to the eight fixed pumps, Ramsammy said that two of them are here in their entirety and have each been installed at Rose Hall and Canje in Berbice, where pump stations had already been constructed for them.
He noted that because of the pump that was installed at Rose Hall, some 500 acres of land at the back of Rose Hall Town is now being cleared to be used as farmland. In addition, he said that the pump located at Canje is being operated as part of the Albion sugarcane cultivation.
This is yet another indication of the government’s commitment to continuously improve drainage to boost agriculture. And these efforts and initiatives to constantly upgrade our drainage systems have been paying handsome dividends as we have seen our agricultural output dramatically boosted in recent years. Rice production last year once again surpassed the 400,000-tonne mark and this year we are set for another record- breaking production as it is anticipated that for the first time we would produce 500,000 tonnes of rice. Production of fruit, vegetables and fish have all increased significantly as well and their export, particularly to North America, has been continuously rising.
Sugar, which has been experiencing some difficulties and challenges, is also showing some signs of recovery as the Skeldon factory which is pivotal to the turning around of the industry seems headed towards reaching its full production capacity.
The importance of effective and efficient drainage systems is key to a successful agricultural programme and therefore its importance cannot be overemphasised. And in this regard the government, through the Agriculture Ministry has been pursuing vigorous and constant programmes to ensure that the drainage system in the agriculture sector is properly maintained and upgraded. This is most commendable and remarkable, especially, when one considers that the government inherited a drainage and irrigation system in the agriculture sector that was in a virtual state of collapse.
However, when it comes to residential drainage systems, unfortunately the situation is the opposite and this no doubt is a consequence of the terrible state of NDCs and municipalities, with Georgetown being a prime example.
It is therefore hoped that local government elections are held as soon as possible and the NDCs and municipalities can be restored to a proper functional state, so that residents within the various communities could once more receive an acceptable level of service from their respective NDCs and municipalities.