The Ministry of Public Works on Friday received two twin submersible pumps and floats from Canadian company, IAMGOLD.
The pumps and floats valued at US$100,000 have the capacity to discharge a total of 20,000 gallons per minute, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The pumps were handed over to the ministry by the President and CEO of IAMGOLD, Joseph Conway.
During the massive floods in 2005 the pumps and floats were loaned to the government and positioned at the Liliendaal reservoir to aid in the relief of excessive waters from the environs of Georgetown and the East Coast Demerara.
According to GINA, Conway stated that despite OMAI having closed its operation in Guyana, his company has recognised the need for such a tangible contribution towards the development of the Guyanese nation.
In 2006 IAMGOLD acquired CAMBIOR, the parent company of OMAI.
And expressing gratitude on behalf of the Guyanese people, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn said that the gesture was a timely one since the pumps will have tremendous drainage capacity to relieve Georgetown and the East Coast Demerara.
Benn said further that in times of desperate need, OMAI Gold Mines Limited responded swiftly by providing pumps to drain the excess water and that brought back normalcy for many Guyanese.
Meanwhile, Benn noted that in light of the unpredictable weather pattern in Guyana as a result of climate change, the pumps and floats will be deployed to various areas as the need arose, GINA concluded.
