The Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday inked a total of $1 billion in contracts with the aim of improving the agriculture sector and part of its 2022 work programme.
Notable among the contracts is the award of $650 million to Well Built Construction Services for the construction of a pump station at the Canal No.1 Sluice on the West Bank of Demerara.
Some of the contracts signed by several agencies under the Ministry’s umbrella include the construction of an all-weather road, bridges and culverts, the establishment of a seed processing facility, a paddy drying floor, the construction of 100 shade houses and the procurement of equipment such as an agricultural drone.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha at the signing ceremony warned contractors that delay in works will not be tolerated.
The contracts awarded are as follows:
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), an agency attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, signed a total of eight contracts. The construction of the $650 million pump station will be constructed under NDIA.
Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc. was awarded $34.4 million to repair steel sheet pile revetment at Hubu Sluice on the East Bank Essequibo.
BDE Recycling signed a $34.2 million contract to resuscitate approximately 150 acres of abandoned sugarcane lands for the cultivation of cash crop at Good Intent, West Bank Demerara.
BDE Recycling was also awarded $46.4 million to rehabilitate drainage culverts at Bartica; this will include the complete reconstruction of one culvert and repairs to others which will benefit approximately 4, 571 households, 17, 270 residents and 250 acres of farmlands.
The construction of concrete bridges at Mahaica, Region Five is divided in three lots.
N&S General Engineering and Contracting was awarded $24.3 million for Lot 1; I&R Construction was awarded $27.3 million for Lot 2 and $29.2 million for Lot 3. The bridges will provide access to in excess of 16,000 acres of land for rice and cattle
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), another agency attached to the Ministry of Agriculture signed a total of five contracts.
NP Investment was awarded $17.2 million for the rehabilitation of the drainage culvert in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Yudhisthir Seecharan Contracting and General Supplies was awarded $17.1 million for the construction of a drying floor at Somerset, Region Two. Drying of paddy seed was predominately done on the roadways but poses a dangerous risk to vehicles and the persons drying the paddy.
Manohar Services signed the $23.1 million contract for the construction of a screen house at the Burma Rice Research Station which is required for the biological control of paddy bug.
VR Construction Inc., was awarded $26 million for the construction of an all-weather road which will provide access to the rice plots at the Burma Rice Research Station throughout the year.
SuperBrix was awarded $46.3 million for the supply, delivery and commission of a 10 Ton Seed Paddy dryer and pre-cleaner at Black Bush Polder in Region Six.
Guydrones was awarded $7.3 million for the supply, delivery and demonstration of an agricultural drone for the Burma Rice Station.
Another agency, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) signed a total of four contracts.
RP Construction was awarded $20.9 million for the construction of 12 shade houses
J&A Lumber Yard and Contracting Service was awarded $12.7 million for the construction of eight shade houses and BAC Suppliers and Fumigation Service was also awarded $12.7 milion for the construction of eight shade houses.
Modern Agri was awarded $10.1 million for the supply and delivery of drip tapes, UV plastics and UV shade clot for 30 shade houses.
The other contracts awarded include; the $10.3 million contract awarded to Guybiz Establishment under the Guyana Marketing Corporation for the retrofitting of the Pomeroon Women’s Association Building at Charity, Region Two. According to the ministry, it is the hope that the building will contribute to food security and generate income for the region.
Meditron Inc was awarded the $4.7 million contract for the provision and installation of a seed processing facility at the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA).
Additionally, Sheriff Security Service was awarded $28.4 million for the provision of security service at the Ministry of Agriculture locations.