In line with government’s ongoing efforts to improve the country’s drainage capacity and provide residents and farmers with a reliable and efficient drainage system, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday commissioned the Adventure Pump Station in Region Six.
Built at a cost of $446 million, the pumping station will serve over 6,000 acres of residential and agricultural land, particularly in the Black Bush Polder, Region Six, including the Cookrite Savannah, which is frequently flooded. It is equipped with two 150 cusec pumps capable of pumping out 126,000 gallons per minute.
In his speech at the inauguration, Minister Mustapha pointed out that this type of government investment will give a significant boost to the agricultural sector by increasing farmers’ productivity.
“There will be five pumping stations in this catchment area. The investment we are making in these types of projects is huge because as a government we recognise the importance of investing in the future of this country. When I became minister, I said we would build a pumping station to drain this area. This pumping station will complement the drainage system in this area, especially in places like the Cookrite Savannah,” he explained.
Minister Mustapha also said that about 19 pumping stations will be built across the country by the end of 2025.
The pumping station was constructed by D. Sawh Mechanical Workshop and will provide better drainage to hundreds of rice, cash crop and livestock farmers.
Meanwhile, NDIA Chairman Lionel Wordsworth said these projects are an important contribution to building Guyana’s resilience as it faces climate change threats.
“Every economic area along the coast needs reliable drainage services because if water accumulates there, it will impact your business or your agriculture. With Guyana vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the extremes of prolonged dry spells and intense rainfall in a short period of time, there will be more investments of this kind so that we can build our resilience, improve our drainage system and provide services that benefit everyone,” he noted.
The pumps are designed to operate at high tide so that drainage of the area can be maintained even when the lock is closed. (Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture)
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