THE ongoing work on a pump station at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara, are expected to be completed soon, according to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha.

This pump station is one of several being constructed, and will benefit farmers across the country.

According to Minister Mustapha, a representative is leaving for Miami today to test the pump, after which it will be transported to Guyana. It is expected to be here in a few weeks.

The minister also expressed that while there were some setbacks, he is optimistic that everything will soon be in place.

In an update on the work at the pump station in February, Minister Mustapha had stated that it was at a stage where three critical activities were occurring off-site: (1) The overseas construction and subsequent delivery of the pump units, (2) the fabrication of the discharge pipes which will transmit the drainage load from the pump station to the outfall, and (3), the structural elements for the pump house are being fabricated.

The minister explained that the government remains committed to transparency and accountability, and will continue to work towards the improvement of the drainage systems all across Guyana.

Just last week, a $261 million pump station was commissioned at Cozier, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The minister had stated that the pump station would bring needed relief to more than 80 farmers who occupy over 5,000 acres of land there.

In January this year, the minister had explained to media officials that his ministry, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) are committed to working along with farmers, countrywide, to get the necessary help they need in order for them to continue to deliver the best quality of produce.
In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture signed several contracts to the tune of $1.8 billion for the rehabilitation of several drainage facilities across the country. Of the six contracts signed, the ministry’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit signed two with General Engineering Supplies and Services Inc. and CEMCO, totalling close to $1.3 billion for the rehabilitation of the Liliendaal and Ogle drainage catchment areas in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

This project was funded by the World Bank, and will see the reduction of flooding in vulnerable areas along the coastland.