The Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) clarified at the weekend that works were ongoing to restore and upgrade the koker and discharge channel at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo.
The clarification came days after Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, pressed the government to address what he said were residents’ pleas for the upgrading of a koker and the Truck Line Canal that drains Vergenoegen.
In a statement, the NDIA said the Ministry of Agriculture was already aware of the situation and subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has instructed the NDIA to commence works.
A contract was awarded to R. Boodram Contracting Services for the fabrication of a new door and installation of lifting mechanism.
“Works would have commenced as far back as early March, 2023, which was as a result of NDIA’s engineers visiting and assessing the situation. The contractor is currently in the process of constructing a new door for the koker while NDIA’s pontoon and excavators is scheduled to clear the outfall channel shortly,” the statement noted.
Already, the site was cleared to make the structure more accessible and works were done to return the koker and channel to operability.
In addition, the NDIA commenced construction of a pump station at Greenwich Park/Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo to assist with drainage in those areas.
In November 2021, the NDIA signed a contract with Roopan Ramoutar Investments for the construction of a pump station at Greenwich Park/Barnwell to the value of $597,851,578.
“The NDIA wishes to emphasize that it will continue to work with all vulnerable areas in bringing relief to farmers and residents. Given those facts, the Opposition Leader should have inquired and consulted with the NDIA before making any statement. Notably, at present, the Philadelphia sluice presently provides drainage for the Greenwich Park/Barnwell area,” the statement added.
