– rains affect Hope Canal worksA contract for a $149M sluice, one of three that government says will considerably ease flooding in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary area, was yesterday signed between government and Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL).According to officials, the project is part of a revamping of the drainage system in Region 5, which boasts one of the country’s main agricultural farming communities that includes sugar, rice and livestock.Like two other major sluices at Cottage and Retrieve, the Profitt one includes a parallel channel to the Abary River that has been designed to take some of the excess waters during the rains.According to Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, the structure will be located near the Abary Bridge and is estimated at $139M with SRK’ngineering awarded the $10M supervisory engineering works.The works also include the strengthening of embankments in the area.Chairman of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Rudolph Gajraj, noted that the project is one three, that is crucial to the development of the farming community which has been plagued overtime by flooding.With over 10,CHeap NFL Jerseys China,000 acres in the area, there are numerous small farmers whose livelihood depends on drainage systems.As a matter of fact, flooding has been a major problem plaguing that area since the scheme was built.The three sluices, costing over $400M,Cheap NFL Jerseys Online, represent a major expenditure of the government,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, that along with the $3B Hope Relief Canal,Wholesale Jerseys USA, is expected to give farmers far more protection by next year end.Minister of Agriculture,NFL Jerseys China, Robert Persaud, who witnessed the signing between Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, George Jervis, and CBCSL’s Managing Director, Courtney Benn, noted that in layman’s terms, the sluices will take extra waters from alternate waterways of the three main rivers in the MMA/ADA area.Hopefully,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, within three weeks, the sluice at Retrieve, estimated at $156M will be commissioned.The Minister noted that there are critics who question the spending of money on drainage but pointed out that there are no options, since farmers’ very livelihood depend on a proper drainage system.Currently, the country’s drainage system is being built to take off at least 2.5 inches of rains during a 24-hour period.He warned that any postponement of the projects can have detrimental effects on farmers and Guyana.Persaud also stressed that the projects were done in full consultations with farmers.Meanwhile, the Minister also indicated that recent action by drainage officials and police to visit a number of communities guilty of dumping garbage in the waterways will be stepped up.While this is a last resort, government has no choice, with several pumps and other equipment having been damaged from garbage debris.Regarding the $3B Hope Canal Relief project, which is an alternate waterway being built from the East Demerara Water Conservancy, the Minister disclosed that works have stalled after it became too dangerous because of heavy rains. It is hoped that these works, which have not totally ceased, will continue by mid-January.
