Drainage in the Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast will be given a major boost with the recent construction of a double-door sluice for the catchment area.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the sluice is expected to service about 3,000 acres of land. It is part of a two-phased project executed by the Agriculture and Public Works and Communication ministries which also involves building a double-door replacement sluice and the connections to adjoining sea defence structure.

GINA said the structure will become fully operational on completion of some sea defence works including the demolition of the old sluice. The koker will play a pivotal role in draining the farmlands used by rice farmers. Drainage capacity will also be increased on completion of the sea defence work which is being executed by the Public Works Ministry’s Sea Defence Department.

The release said these works are being conducted under the Agriculture ministry’s planned programme to mitigate the effects of climate change.