Govt. spending $3.6B to build 4 pump stations

Jul 05, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – Soon works will commence on four new pump stations in Regions Three and Four, which are estimated to cost some $3,695,018,042, as bids were recently opened for the contracts at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)- the procuring entity noted that the pump stations will be constructed in areas such as Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) in the Pouderoyen area, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Belle Vue, WBD and at Jimbo, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was revealed at the opening of tenders, that the station for Meten-Meer-Zorg is estimated at $918,231,386, Pouderoyen pump station is estimated at $ 1,007,627,546, Belle Vue station is pegged at $$779,198,584, and $989,960,526 is pegged for the one for Jimbo, Grove.

Kaieteur News understands that the undertaking is critical since Regions Three and Four are prone to flooding, which can result in livelihoods being affected. In January, during the presentation of this year’s budget, it was revealed that the government will invest a sum of $19.7 billion to upgrade the drainage and irrigation systems across the country.

It was mentioned in the budget too that farmers and residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg, Jimbo Grove, Belle Vue and Letter Kenny will be direct beneficiaries of new pump stations. Drainage and irrigation upgrades will also benefit farmers and residents across the country, including those at Amazon in Region Two, Adams Creek in Region Two, Nabaclis, Golden Grove, Buxton and Bellamy Canal in Region Five.

Already, preparatory works have started at Letter Kenny community, Region Six, for the construction of that pump station. In May, bids for the pump station were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board office and $935,844,954 was estimated for the project. Ten contractors have submitted bids ranging from $750 million to $955million for the project. Meanwhile, last year the Ministry had signed a $650,074,684 contract with Well Built Construction Services to construct a new pump station in the Canal No.1 area, WBD.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Agriculture – National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)

Construction of pump station at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara.