NDIA to spend Gy$275M to bolster D& I networks

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is embarking on a Gy$275 million drain-age and irrigation project which will see rehabilitation and construction of several structures across the country.

Tenders are currently out for the works. The projects include rehabilitation of a sluice at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, in Region Three. It is estimated to cost Gy$43 million. Another Gy$50 million is expected to be spent to build a sluice at New Hope, East Bank Demerara, in Region Four. Other works in Region Four include construction of a sluice at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, estimated at Gy$88.4 million. A separate contract, estimated at Gy$7.4 million, caters for the provision of supervisory services for building the sluice at Buxton. More works are targeted for the East Coast Demerara, including construction of a navigation release structure at La Bonne Intention, estimated to cost Gy$19.5 million.

Further, the NDIA is looking to spend some Gy$13.1 million to construct control structures at West Watooka, Linden in Region 10, under Phase Two of a D& I project.

In Region Six, the NDIA is seeking to rehabilitate a drainage structure at Mara, East Bank Berbice that is estimated to cost Gy$34.9 million.

Two other contracts cater for the procurement of Geotextile fabric for the NDIA at an estimated cost of Gy$3 million and tools and safety gear valued at approximately Gy$14.4 million.

This year, the state allocated Gy$6.6 billion towards the purchase of equipment, and for construction, rehabilitation, and operational works of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

With the operation of an increased number of pumps and the construction and rehabilitation of key drainage and irrigation structures and access roads, the NDIA is targeting improvement in the discharge capacity of relief outfalls and improved flood-control performance.

Additional infrastructural works, such as construction of drainage sluices at Cottage, Mahaicony and Abary, West Coast Berbice; rehabilitation of the sluice at Lonsdale, East Bank Berbice; as well as rehabilitation and installation of pumps at Greenfield, East Coast Demerara, are expected to be completed this year.

In 2010, Gy$5.1 billion was spent on drainage and irrigation. This money was used to conduct major capital works, which included rehabilitation of control structures, construction and rehabilitation of sluices and revetments at De Willem, Waterloo, Amersfoorte, Buxton, Moleson Creek and Alness; and earthworks’ rehabilitation at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

Earthworks have also commenced at Hope outfall, which entails the construction of a new outlet channel for the East Demerara Water Conservancy. This project commenced a few months ago.

Recently, the government advertised for bidders to undertake construction of the drainage structures and bridge included in the Hope/ Dochfour project. Overall, this project is estimated to cost some Gy$3.6 billion.