CDB-funded sea-defence works progressing
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, September 18, 2018
A Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded Sea and River Defence Resilience Project which was launched in 2016 is progressing smoothly.
The over GYD$6.5B (US$30.9M) project is expected to provide for the reconstruction and improvement of approximately 5.4 kilometres of sea and river defences in eight critical areas in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six.
In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Project Coordinator, Dennis Ramsingh said works officially began on January 15 at Crane, West Coast of Demerara.
To date, the works are currently 60 per cent complete with the toe, slope and lower part of the berm completed on the entire 1.2 kilometres. The works were delayed due to the extensive rainy season but are now back on track for scheduled completion.
“So far, works are currently undertaken at this site at Crane and Success in Leguan. The Grove Lookout area on the East Bank of Essequibo is the other site earmarked for Region Three. The rate at which the contractor is progressing the works will be completed later this year,” Ramsingh explained.
He highlighted that the difference between the CDB-funded works and those carried out by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is that most of the riprap work done by the ministry consists of a toe, slope and crest and embankment while those under the CDB constitute of toe, lower slope, berm, upper slope, crest and embankment.
He noted years ago the ministry had constructed berm structures but they were not as wide as the berm structures under the CDB, due to soil conditions and design parameters among other reasons.
Meanwhile, under the ministry’s budget, 260 metres of riprap sea-defence works are also progressing in the De Willem area. The concrete structure at that location was deteriorating and led to the sea and river defence department including that section in its budget.
The works entail excavation of the foreshore to construct the toe and lower slope, sand filling and the construction the upper slope, crest and the earthen embankment. These works are expected to be completed by the end of this month.
In 2018, the ministry’s sea and river defence department was allocated $1.3B from which $900M will go towards capital works and $400M for maintenance.
Ranetta La Fleur
Images: Jules Gibson