A new $565 million pump station has been officially commissioned at Greenwich Park on the East Bank of Essequibo.
This state-of-the-art facility is set to significantly enhance the drainage capacity in the rice-growing region.
The pump station features two pumping units, each capable of moving 100 cubic feet of water per second.
This upgrade will provide reliable drainage support for residents and farmers in the area.
Lionel Wordsworth, Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), highlighted that the project will benefit approximately 5,000 acres of farmland.
Previously, the Greenwich Park area lacked an independent sluice, and the new pump station will connect the drainage canal to Versailles, boosting its drainage capacity.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha emphasized the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure to address climate change challenges.
He noted ongoing construction of several other drainage projects in the region, including those at Versailles, Pouderoyen, Belle Vue, and Canal Number One.
Minister Mustapha anticipates that, within a year, Region 3 will have seven operable pump stations to ensure adequate drainage.
Regional Chairman Sheik Ayube praised the new pump station as a significant government commitment that will improve farmers’ self-sufficiency and resolve drainage issues.