MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill, says the government’s $5 billion allocation for sea defence is an investment to secure agriculture.

The minister made the affirmation on Thursday as he defended the 2022 budget during the debate.

“It is not just boulders and rip-rap sea defence we are thinking about, we are thinking about the thousands of farmers who plant cash crops, rice, sugar, the poultry farmers, the cattle farmers.

“They have to be able to carry on their trade, so we have to keep the sea out. So, we are making the investment to secure agriculture,” Minister Edghill stated.

The minister said while persons cannot eat the stones at the sea defence, it is because of the sea defence that people can eat. The monies will go towards building sea defences in Grove, La Resource, Maria’s Delight, Zeelandia, Leguan, Bygeval, Essex and Bengal.

In 2021, the government invested $4.7 billion on the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of rip-rap sea defence in areas, including Fairfield, Naamryck, Zeelugt, Zeelandia and Leguan.

Further, the construction of 100 metres of geotextile tube groyne at Non Pareil was completed along with the planting of 40,000 mangrove seedlings.

Added to that, budget 2022 has earmarked $28.7 billion to ensure the rapid growth and development of Guyana’s agricultural sector. (DPI)