SEVERAL agencies that form part of the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday signed 13 contracts totalling some $610 million.

Representatives from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), and the Agriculture Sector Development Unit’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (ASDU-SADP), joined Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha in the ministry’s main boardroom for the simple exercise which saw contracts being signed for the supply and delivery of several critical pieces of vehicles and equipment, as well as for the construction and rehabilitation of vital infrastructure.

While offering remarks, Minister Mustapha said the ministry has been constantly signing contracts to ensure the effective execution of its responsibilities to deliver quality services to Guyanese.
As it relates to contracts signed by GuySuCo, Minister Mustapha said that works expected to be carried out within the coming weeks will contribute to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the industry.

“Yesterday, we went to Parliament, and the Ministry of Finance saw it fit to give us additional funds to execute programmes within this ministry. We have GuySuCo, and over the last few months, there have been a lot of eyes on this agency. This is one of the most important agencies for us, in terms of employment, in addition to its primary role in the production of sugar,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “Our goal is to ensure these works that will be executed over the next few weeks will contribute to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the industry, so that GuySuCo can move closer to that break-even mark, and then, later on, become profitable.”

GuySuCo signed two contracts with General Engineering Limited, valued at $295,000,000 for the supply and delivery of mobile drainage pumps. The Corporation also signed contracts with General Equipment Guyana Limited totalling $25,947,380 for the supply and delivery of eight 20ft flat-bottom aluminum boats with engines; Garnet Engineers totalling $45,177,244 for the supply and delivery of materials to retube the boiler; M.

Sukhai Contracting Services totalling $17,698,250 for the construction of 300m of light-duty revetment at the Uitvlugt Estate; and Yunas Civil and Building Construction totalling $43,281,200 for the rehabilitation of a cane gantry at the Rose Hall Estate.

The GLDA signed contracts with Triple A. Construction Services totalling $24,113,100 for the construction of a swine facility with a semen processing area at Mon Repos; R. Persid Construction totalling $7,049,700 for the construction of a housing facility for broiler and black giant breeders; and J&A Lumber Yard & Contracting Services totalling $3,066,250 for the construction of support for an autoclave at the agency’s veterinary laboratory.

Contracts were also signed with Beharry Automotive Limited, Marics and Company and Farm Supplies Limited for the supply and delivery of several motorcycles, ATVs, boats and engines; and a pick up, all totalling in excess of $80 million to support the ministry’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Project. (Ministry of Agriculture)