– realised through D&I’s $8.2B expenditure in 2019

IN its continued effort to ensure that all Guyanese benefit from improved, extension and provision of drainage, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) expended some $8.2 Billion in 2019.

Part of this sum was used to acquire Guyana’s first Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) valued at $329M for more effective clearing of coastal drainage channels.

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Finance in its end-of-year report for 2019.
Increasing Guyana’s resilience to flood and droughts, five sluices were constructed and rehabilitated in several communities across Guyana, and a pump station was commissioned at Herstelling, valued at $335M, improving drainage and irrigation for approximately 1,821 hectares (4,500 acres) of residential and agricultural lands from Providence to Little Diamond.

This specific venture by the NDIA benefitted 7,526 persons and 69 registered farmers from the Mocha cooperative.
“The ultimate goal is to increase incomes and reduce unemployment, by providing access to land for farming through the rehabilitation of Drainage and Irrigation systems and access dams; and, additionally, by providing the necessary support, such as extension services and planting material to ensure the success of farmers,” Agriculture Minister Noel Holder remarked.
Also, in keeping with the holistic approach to drainage and irrigation, another pump station was completed at Buxton last year. The construction of seven pump stations was advanced; these will house nine newly-acquired pumps.

Also, under the Flood Risk Management Project (FRMP), the reconstruction of four kilometres of the North Eastern Dam of the East Demerara Water Conservancy is almost completed. (DPI)