– says gov’t remains committed to empowering farmers, modernising infrastructure

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

OVER the weekend, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha joined President, Dr Irfaan Ali at a series of public meetings held across Region Six, where he highlighted the significant strides made in the agricultural sector under the PPP/C government since its return to office in 2020.

Minister Mustapha spoke passionately about the ongoing transformation taking place, noting the government’s unwavering commitment to revitalising agriculture, empowering farmers and modernising infrastructure.

He emphasised that through targetted investments, strategic planning and inclusive policies, the sector has experienced renewed growth and resilience, positively impacting the lives of citizens in Region Six and across the country.

At Rose Hall, East Canje, Berbice, on Saturday, Minister Mustapha told the residents attending a community meeting that “we have seen all the issues. All the problems you were facing in Canje, [and] we have now resolved those problems and [are] bringing now more benefits to the people in Region Six, in our country and in Canje here.”

He reminded those gathered that after the closure of the Rose Hall Estate, the surrounding communities became a complete ghost town.

Describing the callousness of the APNU+AFC government, Minister Mustapha revealed that the last production before the closure of the Rose Hall Estate was 21,000 tonnes of sugar, yet the government still went ahead with the closure, leaving thousands of workers jobless.

“The year before the closure they produced 21,000 tonnes of sugar because of the work that we did before we came out of government and now because of what they did to the industry, we have to spend a lot of money to do rehabilitation; they had neglected the industry.”

According to the minister, his government has so far expended some $10 billion to return the Rose Hall Estate to a state of operation. He added that the main focus was on the workers and ensuring that they returned to their livelihoods.

“We have to ensure that we do more work. The entire cultivation was left and there was forest in the entire cultivation. The factory was left to rot, the entire dock, and today, we are seeing once again Rose Hall Estate is taking its rightful place.”

‘SUGAR WILL NEVER FAIL’

Minister Mustapha stressed that under the leadership of President Ali, they will ensure that “sugar will never fail in our country.” In continuing, he said, “we will continue to support sugar and the sugar workers like all other sectors in this country.”

With the investments being made in East Canje, Berbice, Minister Mustapha told the thousands of residents gathered for the meeting that there is renewed life in the Canje community now. “Canje is once again very vibrant. We have seen new economic activities,” he said, before pointing out that GuySuCo is now looking for more workers.

He said with the economic opportunities now present in the region, employment is readily available. “People now have a choice and are doing different things.”

Minister Mustapha explained that previously, cane harvesters would have to cut and load the cane into punts but now that system has been completely transformed, with them only having to cut the cane. The loading aspect is now mechanised.

“…we are also trying to mechanise the entire field and we are working also to form partnerships with workers, so that they will help to manage the affairs of the estate. They will be involved in harvesting the cane and they will also be like contractors…they will be the contractors. So, the opportunities will be more in these parts of the country.”

Turning his attention to drainage and irrigation, Minister Mustapha revealed that every single NDC and municipality has been provided with a mini-excavator to expand their drainage programmes.

STENGHTENING LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Turning his attention to the critical issue of drainage and irrigation, Minister Mustapha revealed a major step in strengthening local infrastructure.

He informed the gathering that every Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and municipality across the region has now been equipped with a mini-excavator, a move aimed at significantly enhancing their ability to manage and expand drainage programmes.

This initiative, he explained, is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce the risk of flooding, and support sustainable agricultural development, “and every single 22 bodies in Region Six… are beneficiaries of a small mini excavator.”

He pointed out, that NDCs are also now equipped with fire trucks, allowing them to be the first line of defence in their respective communities.

The minister added that they are also being provided with garbage trucks.

“Those are the enhancements that we are doing,” he told the residents.

In terms of the primary canals in the region, Minister Mustapha assured residents that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is working to desilt all of the canals.

According to him, over $22billion has been expended in Region Six “to do massive D&I structures…”

Pointing to the construction of the two high-level Hope-like canals in the region, Minister Mustapha said that in the dry season those structures will act as reservoirs, while in rainy weather, it will drain directly into the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s a high-level canal that will drain 24 hours so we will have a better drainage system in Region Six,” he emphasised.

Further, he stressed that an embankment is already being built running from Number 66 Village, Corentyne, to Canje in the backlands to keep the water at bay and reduce the stress on the drainage system in communities.

This project will cost $6 billion, he added.
“In relation to other areas, we are doing new pump stations; we are rehabilitating sluices so that we can have maximum drainage and mitigate flooding,” he stated.

While this is being done, Minister Mustapha stressed that “thousands of acres of new land will be opened up and you will have an opportunity to be beneficiaries of those lands.”

He urged residents to get involved in agriculture. “Agriculture is one of the most important activities. Without agriculture we cannot have food security, and we have a President who is very passionate about this sector, and we have seen massive investments.”

In his closing remarks, Minister Mustapha left residents with a powerful reminder that it is only the PPP/C party that genuinely puts the people first and truly has their interests at heart. “…when we make promises, we always deliver on those promises.”

His words attracted resounding applause, reinforcing the trust and confidence the East Canje community continues to place in the PPP/C government.

He stressed, “We will continue to work with you. We will continue to bring development to you. We will continue to bring opportunities to you under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali.”