Government gets excavators from Japan

Nov 24, 2012 News

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday handed over a fleet of excavators and two pontoons valued at approximately US$3.5 million to the Government of Guyana. The contribution of equipment and machinery was secured through a US$7 million grant which was approved by the Japanese Government a few years subsequent to the 2005 flooding.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has made this grant available to the Government of Guyana for the Rehabilitation of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).

Japanese Ambassador Yoshimasa Tezuka shakes hand of Minister of Agriculture Leslie Ramsammy at the handing over ceremony.

The main purpose of the initiative is to increase Guyana’s preparedness to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.
This is the first component of the two year Project. Eight Kabelco excavators and two pontoons were thus far been donated by the Japanese Government. Another part of the deal is expected to be realized shortly.
Chief Executive Officer of the Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth, said that the new machinery with better aid in improving the efficiency of the drainage system, especially in Region Four and its environs.
Wordsworth noted that added to the new equipment, the Japanese company will assist with the spare parts and maintenance issues as well as training of operators to function in that capacity.
According to JICA Caribbean’s Chief Representative Shoj Ozawa more than 1000 of the company’s personnel will be available to train locals in uses of Japanese technology.
At the handing over ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, expressed gratitude to JICA for the much needed contribution which he says comes “in the middle of an El Nino phenomenon.”
However, the Minister noted that the additional equipment will be beneficial to not merely the Agricultural sector but communities across Guyana once rainy season starts.
Ramsammy said that with this addition the Ministry will now have 67 excavators and seven pontoons under its management.
The Minister also lauded the Japanese Government for its integrity. He recalled that the grant was approved at the time when Japan was facing its own disaster. He reiterated that the notion will significantly contribute to the sustenance and development of the Agricultural sector.

Some of the newly commissioned equipment.

Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Yoshimasa Tezuka said that Japan is indeed grateful to extend aid in disaster management in an attempt to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
He held that the Japanese Government looks forward to strengthening and improving further, future relations with Guyana.