No fuel for irrigation pumps -over 40,000 acres of farmland affected in Berbice

Dec 06, 2018 News

Fuel that was supposed to be sent to operate the irrigation pumps are being diverted and sent to operate drainage pumps instead. This is according to rice farmer and President of the Rice Producers Association, Leeka Rambrich.
He explained that over 40,000 acres of farmlands are under threat since the pumps located in Black Bush

RPA’s head, Leeka Rambrich

Polder are yet to receive fuel to kick start the operations. Rambrich disclosed that farmers from Rose Hall, along the Corentyne, Number 52 Village and Black Bush Polder, are the ones feeling the effects of such a delay.
“I spoke to the contractor who was supposed to carry fuel into Black Bush Polder and the man say Travis (responsible for coordinating the fuel) is diverting the fuel from the Black Bush pump to the drainage pump”, Rambrich claimed.
He stressed that farmers are currently without water and “cultivation is at its peak. This is very stressful on farmers.” According to him only two were being operated during last week at Mibicuri, BBP but the pumps have been down since Monday.
“That’s a long time to have these pumps out of operation during this time”, he said.
Kaieteur News understands that the person responsible for fuel distribution to the pumps “is in connection with the REO, Kim Stephens”.
While efforts were made to contact the Regional Chairman on the issue, he was unavailable but this publication was told that officials from the engineering department of the region were instructed to transport the fuel today on a trailer but they however opted to use a vehicle.
That vehicle subsequently while on its way with the fuel in Black Bush “got stuck on the muddy dams”.
It was advised to use the trailer because of the conditions of the dams but the engineers thought it best to utilize the vehicle. It is unclear when the fuel will arrive to get the pumps up and running but the matter is expected to be raised at today’s RDC statutory meeting.