Farmers yesterday seized the opportunity during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder to plead for construction of a bridge to facilitate heavy-duty machinery in Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.
According to the farmers, calls have been made for the construction of a bridge in the area since many of them were children. Without a bridge, they said they have to negotiate a longer route in order to meet their rice fields, costing them more in fuel.
One farmer related that the bridge will also be beneficial to residents since the farmers’ machines will use the bridge instead of the road, thereby preventing unnecessary damage.
For his part, Holder encouraged the farmers to make representation to the Regional Democratic Council, which can assist with the construction or at least budget money for the project.
Meanwhile, also present during the meeting were the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Fredrick Flatts, Guyana Rice Development Board Chief Executive Nizam Hassan and Guyana Livestock Development Authority Chief Executive Nigel Cumberbatch.
Farmers also highlighted to Flatts that the sluices located at Adventure, Corentyne, Eversham Village, Corentyne and Number 43 Village, Corentyne need immediate clearing. Flatts told the farmers that it is possible for them to assist and that he will look into it to see whether NDIA has the means to help or would have to hire outside assistance.
