NDIA to rehabilitate 63 sluices nationwide – Min. Mustapha announces

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), will soon commence major rehabilitation work on 63 sluices across Guyana’s coast.

This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar during a community meeting at Korthberaadt Village on the East Bank of Berbice.

Minister Mustapha told residents that approximately US$40 million will be spent rehabilitating the structures in accordance with the government’s flood risk management efforts. 

“We have a programme with the World Bank that will see 63 sluices across the country being rehabilitated. That project will commence shortly. The project sum is about US$40 million, and the procurement process is expected to commence in July,” the Agriculture Minister explained.

He added, “There are a number of sluices in Black Bush Polder that will be rehabilitated as part of that project, one being the Pepper Sluice at Cumberland. That is a major drainage area. Sluices in New Amsterdam, Corentyne, and across the Coast will also undergo rehabilitation work. We will also be acquiring dredges to clear outfalls.”

Responding to issues about drainage, Minister Mustapha told residents that the government was working to ensure that citizens receive maximum benefit from the resources being made available. He also said that rehabilitation works on the Korthberaadt crown dam are ongoing.

“We will continue to make the interventions and make the resources available. For 40 years no work was done on the crown dam. We are now doing that. As soon as we get a break in the weather again well continue those works,” he added.