By Bibi Khatoon
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is awaiting the approval of a proposal it submitted to the Government to determine how it will move forward with the employment of technical workers to take over the drainage and irrigation responsibilities from the Guyana Sugar Corporation(GuySuCo).
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Dave Hicks told News Room during a recent interview that the entity has sufficient engineers to take up GuySuCo’s D&I responsibilities but there is a need for more technical staff.
He said technical workers are being retained by the NDIA from the sugar corporation.
“Our plans right now are to use GuySuCo personnel, the people who have been in the system for a number of years, who have experience and who have a wide knowledge of how the system operates. Our plan right now is utilize those personnel to continue the operation and maintenance of those estates that are planned to be closed,” Hicks explained.
However, it is unsure what arrangements will be made for this to continue as the Special Purpose Unit takes over GuySuCo’s assets.
Hicks said the NDIA submitted a proposal to the Government, which outlines the logistics of employment and execution of the additional works. He did not go into details, noting that, “I think I should wait until we receive more clarity or approval before we go ahead.”
“The NDIA will take over responsibilities of these areas but in our internal operations, how we execute these works, that is what we’re finalizing.”
GuySuCo is expected to terminate the employment of an additional 957 persons in the coming months, including workers who were promised additional Drainage and Irrigation work.
It was reported in 2016 that GuySuCo expends over $600M a year on drainage and irrigation services provided to various communities.
