Mahaica- Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud today spearheaded the inking of a contract, as part of Government’s Conservancy Adaptation Project (CAP) to ensure the country adapt to the effects of climate change which have severely affected Guyana’s economy in the past.
The US$2.7M deal is a consultancy contract between the Guyana Government and Mott McDonald from the United Kingdom and CEMCO Inc. which will see a study and assessment on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), being undertaken in a comprehensive way.
It was signed at Flag Staff, Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
Minister Persaud said the Government recognises that in moving forward it is important to undertake proper scientific interventions, to determine the correct method of the EDWC.
While commending the World Bank for its assistance in making the study possible, the Agriculture Minister stated that several aspects of the project have already been implemented which include remedial work to the structure at the Lama canal; procurement of pontoon and excavators to improve capacity and now the long awaited investment studies.
Referring to the effects the La Nina weather condition posed recently, he said that from time to time the conservancies have been under stress due to the above normal rainfall and the country’s vulnerability of being below sea level. However, he added that over the last five years there has not been a failure in the EDWC due to the prudent management of the economy and the huge investments into the drainage and irrigation sector.
It is estimated that for Regions Four and Five alone to build drainage and irrigation systems would require US$550M while annually the country can only afford US$2.5M on capital works.
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