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PPP recommits to developing Essequibo
Committed to fulfilling each promise is another commitment by the PPP/Civic Government. It was again echoed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Friday.
He was addressing the residents on the Essequibo Coast, on a two-day visit to Region Two.
The residents are soon to be recipients of 5,500 acres of land and they were reassured by the president that those who are seeking lands for cultivation, especially young people will be given priority.
According to President Jagdeo, the first phase of the Aurora Land Development Project, which would engage the tender process, will commenced in a matter of days, has already attracted $250M to kick start the project.
Another $225M is in the pipeline to purchase bulldozers for all the regions, Jagdeo said.
‘Those who have needs will have access to lands; Government will oversee the project.” He also advised farmers of Aurora to elect a small group to ensure that the lands are properly designed and to have farmers comment on those designs.
Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, told the gathering that the project will cost$1.3B. The lands which are designed primarily for the cultivation of rice are the first large scheme to be opened up at Aurora.
The minister added that a technical team from the Department of Lands and Survey has already conducted the requisite feasibility studies and has confirmed the suitable characteristics of the soil and what crops can be grown there.
Persaud also noted that the design phase has also been completed and the types of structures, drainage canal, hydrological work, drainage and water management have already been determined.
According to Persaud, the allocation of the lands will be done through a public process and priority would be given to those who do not have lands.
“Government is not investing for those who are interesting in retaining their lands for the purpose of renting.”
Persaud said that within the last four years, some 1,000 new or abandoned agriculture lands as well as another 3,000 acres of arable land were distributed to residents on the Essequibo Coast.
In Pomeroon, at Warapana $36M has been set aside to aid in the relocation of affected farmers to higher lands. Another 200 families will each benefit from 10 acres at Onderneeming.
Meanwhile, at Lima, on the Essequibo Coast, 17,000 residents between Walton and Queenstown will enjoy potable water following the commissioning of the Lima water treatment plant.
The project, which was jointly funded by World Bank and the Guyana Government was built at a cost $450 million.
The treatment plant which was constructed by a Trinidadian company, UEM, has the capacity to process and distribute five million gallons of water daily to residents.
President Jagdeo at the commissioning of Lima Water Treatment Plant
Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ally urged residents to conserve and be committed to paying a small fee as their rates.
President Bharrat Jadgeo who unveiled the plaque attached at the processing facility, congratulated all those who were associated with the project and told Essequibians that the new facility belonged to all of the people of this country.
Also present at the commissioning of the water treatment were Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford; PPP Presidential candidate Donald Ramotar; World Bank representative, Paul Dublin; and GWI Executive director, Ramchand Jairam.
The construction of the water treatment plant commenced in 2005. (Yannason Duncan)
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