$89.6M Sluice and Revetment commissioned in Leguan
– ensuring vulnerable coastal areas are protected from flooding.
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 15, 2020
An $89.6M sluice and revetment project at Thierens on the Essequibo Island of Leguan was commissioned on today.
Chairman of the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Latchman Dwarka informed that over 50 farmers will benefit and some 1000 acres of lands protected.
Delivering remarks at the commissioning, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder said the government has been concentrating on water resource management as a priority since almost all agriculture is practised in the low-lying areas of Regions 2,3,4,5 and 6.
“This sluice can adequately drain an area of 750 acres. It takes into consideration your current situation and any future developments in the village of Thierens. This will considerably increase the benefits attained by improving crop production since shorter, and less frequent, inundation periods can be expected,” the Agri-minister noted.
Also, Minister Holder disclosed that his ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has expended approximately $8 Billion in 2019 to continue the implementation of plans for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the drainage and irrigation infrastructure in all regions across Guyana.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDIA, Fedrick Flatts noted that over the years the Authority has sought to improve drainage and irrigation throughout the country. According to Flatts, as NDIA continues to increase drainage coefficient across the nation, 12 pumps – 9 fixed and 3 mobiles have been procured; the fixed pumps are expected to arrive in less than two months from India.
Leguan farmer Roopchand Maraj disclosed that “this project was neglected for years and we were faced with major flooding. So, this is a great gift.” Another farmer for over two decades, Jagdesh Ramratan remarked “we are happy for this. It will help us greatly.”