Over J$90M In Contracts For Agriculture Sector

Cabinet has given its approval for the award of several multimillion-dollar contracts related to the agriculture sector.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, at Wednesday’s (February 9) virtual post-Cabinet press briefing.

Minister Morgan said that a contract for J$77 million was awarded to Pyramid Jamaica (Consulting) Engineers to provide construction supervision services for the Southern Plains Agricultural Development (SPAD) Project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Minister added that M and M Jamaica Limited was awarded a contract valued at US$12.8 million to supply and install pipelines, fittings, and meters. Farm access roads will also be constructed as well as drains and flood protection works in Bridge Pen/Amity Hall, St. Catherine, for the SPAD project.

In addition, Cabinet also approved the variation to a contract to supply and install pumps and pump houses at the Ebony Park/Spring Plain Agro Park, in the amount of J$8.76 million to Champion Industrial Equipment and Supplies Limited.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has been given approval to license the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) as the Irrigation Authority for a period of 30 years, subject to affirmative resolution.

“It gave further approval for the promulgation of legislation to validate all acts executed in good faith by the NIC, as the Irrigation Authority, in the absence of the requisite licence pursuant to Section 4 of the Irrigation Act, for the period commencing 11th of July 2021 to the date of gazetting of a new Order to duly license the NIC,” Minister Morgan said.