GECOM Registration Clerk, Michelle Miller;

PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’ 30,000 acres of savannah lands to

become accessible ─ $251.4 M contract signed to extend Tacama, Region 10 Road

Approximately 30,000 acres of savannah lands will become accessible for corn, soya, and sorghum cultivation, with a $251.4 million contract being awarded to Associated Construction Services, to extend the Tacama Road, Region 10.

The 25-kilometer expansion will allow the area to benefit from reduced production cost, through the reduction of transportation fees.

The two parties inked the agreement on Wednesday, during a ceremony held at the ministry’s boardroom. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said, “That road will help us to have better access to the corn and soya project. Last year, we cultivated 125 acres of the corn and soya, however, this year we will increase from that amount to 3,500 acres.”

Apart from the massive road expansion, contracts were also signed for significant drainage and irrigation enhancement in Regions Two, Three, and Four.

United Contracting and Supplies has received a $30.7 million contract to build the head regulator at Reliance, along the Essequibo Coast. The project is expected to improve the regulation of water in the irrigation channels there.

Another $158.5 million will be injected into constructing the head regulator, and tail wall at C1-C6 Area, Region Two. This will also improve the regulation of water in and out of the irrigation channels, reducing wastage and improving the drainage of rice lands.

Additionally, M. Sukhai Contracting Services is tasked with rehabilitating the drainage structure at Dartmouth, Region Two, to the tune of $13.8 million.

Meanwhile, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), a $14.3 million contract has been awarded to Triple A Construction Supplies and Service, to construct a dehydration facility at Hope.

The facility will be used to convert fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables into dehydrated products.

Further, the Pomeroon Women’s Association Building in Region Two will be retrofitted to encourage more agro-processing and contribute to food security.

To this end, a sum of $8.7 million will be spent to the appropriate equipment to the agro–processing factory. The contract was awarded to NK Engineering Services in this regard.

Altogether, the total contracts awarded amounted to over $605 million, and Minister Mustapha made it clear that the works must be done on time, and in accordance with the specifications.

16 bridges, farm to market road for Buxton/Foulis area

‒ local contractors to execute works

Major infrastructural works will soon commence in the Buxton/Foulis area which will bring significant relief to residents of the two communities.

Works to be executed include the rehabilitation of 16 bridges and the construction of a farm-to-market road to provide access to farmers.

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill made the announcement when he met with residents at Tipperary Hall, Buxton, on July 28, 2022.

Minister Edghill said an engineer from his ministry will return to the villages on Friday to inspect the bridges. The inspection will give the ministry a full understanding of works needed after which, a bill of quantity will be compiled. “If we have 16 bridges at $1.5 million, $1.3 million, we will do all 16. Sixteen contractors from Buxton will get work… so, you will be invited to bid and one lot person,” Minister Edghill stated.

The farm-to-market road will give farmers easy access to their farms.

During the meeting, residents suggested two locations where the road should be constructed. Minister Edghill said three engineers will return to inspect the two locations.

The minister said they are going to “walk both areas and see firsthand the conditions and then we make a decision within a two-week period because we cannot sit down and talk about this forever.”

Government’s intervention to construct the farm-to-market road was welcomed by farmers.

The meeting in the community stemmed from a ministerial outreach which was led by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on July 4, 2022. Minister Edghill was accompanied by Permanent Secretary to the Ministry Vladim Persaud and senior engineers.