PROSPERITY’ Major infrastructure works set for 21 new housing areas – Croal

The government announced that hundreds of contracts for various infrastructure projects in 21 new housing areas across the country are to be awarded.

These projects include land clearing, the development of roads, bridges, culverts, water distribution systems, and electrical networks.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal stated that the projects have already gone through the awarding stage and are currently in the process of being tendered. “They [tender board] have already completed the evaluation process so that could tell you how far gone we are with that aspect of moving the new areas to be done,” he said.

The awarding of the contracts could be expected within the next two weeks, pending approval from the cabinet, the minister stated.

Minister Croal also highlighted that these new housing areas have already been allocated to individuals who are eagerly awaiting the start of construction on their homes.

The minister’s announcement came just one week after the passage of the $54.5 billion allocation for the housing sector.

Of that amount, $50 million was allocated for in - when you meet the fourlane. About $1.2 billion is being spent in that area. All works are expected to be completed by next month,” the minister explained.

The Industrial Access Road leads to the industrial area, Providence and other housing developments.

It is also part of one of the main connectivity for the Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Eccles, EBD roads being executed through the Public Works Ministry.

“Any work that you’re seeing on the eastern side of the four lane [road], that is part of that [East Coast-East Bank Road] development. ..And so, work has actually started on some drainage works, which is being done through public works,” Minister Croal further explained.

This year, $54 billion was allocated to the housing sector for major infrastructural works, of which $7.3 billion will go towards the continuation of the highways at Eccles to Diamond, as well as an additional $5.4 billion for the Schoonord to Crane Road.

The Minister informed the public that both projects are expected to be completed by the middle of 2023 and 2024, respectively.

These infrastructure investments will significantly improve the transportation network in Guyana and will play a critical role in driving economic growth and job creation in the country.

Canal Polder farmers assured of better drainage

Farmers from Canal No. 1 and 2 on the West Bank of Demerara (Region Three) were Wednesday afternoon given assurance that they will soon benefit from improved drainage systems in the farming community.

Agriculture Minister, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha met with farmers from the area to discuss some of the issues faced with the hope of resolving them.

While the farmers acknowledged the government’s efforts to develop the sector, they noted that constant rainfall coupled with the lack of effective drainage continue to pose major challenges to their livelihood. One of the major issues faced was the lack of maintenance to major canals and drains in the area.

Farmers also noted that as a result of flooding, their infrastructure was also affected. One farmer explained that, like many other farmers in the area, sections of his farm were sinking.

While responding to issues raised, Minister Mustapha said a holistic approach is needed to deal with the issues faced in the area and committed to making the resources available to commence the needed work.

“Here in Canal Polder, we have one objective, which is to have maximum production. In order to address these matters, we have to look at them from a holistic view. The middle trench that you spoke about, we will do it. The NDIA will do it but there are people who don’t want that trench to be done. They are saying that they don’t want the machine to go there. If we have permission tomorrow, we’ll make a machine available before the end of the week to start those works,” the minister noted.

He further stated that funds have been made available for the construction of a multi-million-dollar pump station at Belle Vue that will offer major relief to farmers in the area. “This year, we’ll start construction of a new pump station at Belle Vue that will cost over $500 million to help boost the drainage system here. We are also looking to develop a new drainage structure through the ‘C’ line so that farmers there can get prop- frastructural works in areas including Meten-Meer-Zorg, Stewartville, Leonora, Non Pareil, Hope, Success, Enterprise, Great Diamond, Burma, Shieldstown, Palmyra, Mabaruma, Wales, Lusignan, Good Hope, Bartica, Silica City, Amelia’s Ward, Buxton/St. Joseph, Wakenaam, Charity, Chateau Margot, Sophia, and Number 75 Village.

Additionally, Charity, Patentia, Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Soesdyke, Chateau Margot, Sophia, Cummings Lodge, Plantation Belvedere and Amelia’s Ward will benefit from works amounting to $10 million each to regularise some 1,218 lots.

1,600 ‘cut roses’ being harvested weekly at NAREI

President,

Dr Mohamed

Irfaan Ali’s One Guyana ‘Cut Rose’ Project continues to make significant progress, with some 1,600 roses being harvested weekly from the shade houses at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

This project is designed to create employment and generate income for single parents.

It is being executed by NAREI in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Research Assistant at NAREI, Melissa Ferreira, in a recent interview, noted that, currently, there are four shade houses with 600 plants in each. She disclosed that approximately 400 roses are harvested weekly from each shade house.

As it relates to the variety of roses within the shade houses, Ferreira emphasised that, “Right now, we have 25 different colours. The types would be the Hybrid Tea (Rose) plants. And then, we also have some miniature variety. But the main variety would be the Hybrid Tea and we have 25 different colour variation of those.”

The research assistant stated that there is an increase in orders for the roses due to the upcoming Valentine’s Day. “Persons were calling since early last month to place their orders. Based on the amount that we have estimated to harvest, which is 1,600, we have about 1,400 roses ordered in total for Valentine’s Day,” she said.

She added that the institute is also catering for walkin purchases for Valentine’s Day, “We’ll be busy for valentine since we’re catering for 1,600 orders.”

Before the execution of the ‘Cut Rose’ project, she highlighted that extensive research was done pertaining to the necessary requirements to grow the roses in Guyana, which included the soil type and nutrients. The research assistant noted that a myriad of soil mixtures and other materials are utilised to boost the growth of the roses.

Sophia development projects...

bridge in less than 15 minutes of us standing here and you can imagine how dependable the community is on this facility and therefore we are going to work to make sure that it gets completed, that it can open up and so everyone can have the benefit of it,” he noted.

Residents are also happy about the construction of a new bridge and eagerly await its completion.

Additionally, a community center is being constructed in North Sophia at Block ‘F’, which is also ahead of

“In preparing the soil, we use our own mixture which would include clay, white sand, filter press, chicken manure, and paddy shell. These plants were grafted plants. Grafting is the process of attaching a piece of one plant (bud or scion) to or on top of a stem, root, or branch of another (stock) such that a union forms and the partners continue to grow.

With Guyana being a tropical country and its vast environmental conditions, Guyana have the potential to move from being one of the main importers of fresh roses to an exporter in the future. Since its execution, the project has made significant progress with the number of roses being harvested and sold. In addition, a number of single parents have been benefitting. By the end of 2023, through the project, it is anticipated that rose imports will be reduced by 30 per cent, while also giving single parents in particular, career and training opportunities.

← From page 16 schedule. The building which is being funded by a $12 million grant from the President and Vice President, will be used for recreational and other developmental purposes. Both projects employ people from the Sophia community.