Latest update September 17th, 2026 10:25 AM
Works for $400M sluice, rice-seed facility underway in Berbice
The new $400M drainage facility under construction
By Leon Suseran
Junior Minister of Finance, Juan Edghill has declared that the administration wants to ensure that “flooding is a thing of the past in Black Bush Polder.”
He made the declaration last Thursday when he inspected major projects in East & West Berbice including a $400M sluice-in-the-making at Lot 6 ‘A’, Black Bush Polder.
The Minister was accompanied by Member of Parliament, Faizal M. Jaffarally.
“This contract has been awarded and we did have some challenges and we have now put in place a mechanism for its full execution. So I have visited it to see the progress of the works.”
Edghill stated that over 50 per cent of the works has been completed on the structure, “and all of the materials required are on the site, except the cement, which will be there shortly. But this is a very, very strategic project, because it is to alleviate flooding in Black Bush Polder.”
MP Jaffarally stated that when the project is completed, more than 50,000 acres of agriculture land, cultivated with both cash crops and rice, will benefit.
“The front lands between Number 52 Village and Whim and BBP and Johanna area will benefit in a significant way when that massive project is scheduled to be completed by next year”.
Edghill also visited the rice-seed facility at Number 56 Village, Corentyne. The project falls under the Agricultural Sector Development Programme.
The entire factory is being imported from SuperBricks in Colombia and it is intended to boost rice production in the Region.
“and we are at a stage where we have to do just a few minor things and then we will have a foreign supplier to come and test that entire factory so that it can be commissioned”, he added.
US$2M Homeless Shelter at Onverwagt
The Minister’s next stop was the US$2M Homeless Shelter at Onverwagt on the West Coast of Berbice, where he stated that he was satisfied with the pace of works. The facility is geared to be completed for commissioning by December of this year. It was originally intended to be handed over to the Government of Guyana by March of this year. It is being funded by the Venezuelan Government. The facility will house more than 100 persons, and males and females will be in separate buildings within the complex.
The rice seed facility at Number 56 Village
The complex will be a long-term residence for homeless persons and as such amenities for recreation, medical care and physical work-related activities are included in the plan.
Persons at the home will be called upon to partake in the planting of fruits and vegetables along with other agriculture activities at the facility.
Additionally, the minister related that the East Bank Berbice 25-mile stretch of roadway is dubbed a “priority road” by President Donald Ramotar.
The funding for this project is coming from a loan from the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).
Edghill noted that there is an increase of volume of vehicles in Regions 5 and 6 and it is imperative that the roads be upgraded.
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