From land to sea: First amphibious excavator sets sail

─ farmers extremely pleased as the machine will bring major relief to the community

By Nikosi Bruce

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 24, 2019

Guyana’s first amphibious excavator has been commissioned at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) in Flagstaff, Cane Grove, East Coast of Demerara.

This is in keeping with commitments made last year by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, to acquire the landmark piece of machinery which costs more than $60M and will be used exclusively for works in the conservancy.

The excavator is capable of working in waterways as deep as sixteen feet and is fully self-propelled. This gives the machine the ability to work in critical areas bringing significant relief to drainage and irrigation in those very hard to reach areas.

The amphibious excavator as it pushes off from shore, anchors raised.

[In the photo, from left to right] Regional Chairman of Region 10, Renis Morian, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.

The brand-new amphibious excavator was put straight to work, clearing out a section of the conservancy.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, who commissioned the excavator, shared thoughts on the expectations of the machine.

“This acquisition is expected to assist in executing works in those hard to reach areas that are at risks of flooding and will bring relief to residents and farmers whose economic activities are usually disrupted by flooding caused by intense rainfall and overtopping of the sea defence.”

Sharing his satisfaction with the presence of the machine, Omesh Jaikarran, a farmer from the village of Hope on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), believes that this is a great move as it would have major positive impacts for him and other farmers in the community.

“I see this here as a very improved facility towards farmers and drainage and irrigation, in helping to clear the canals. So, we would be able to get access to water easily and maintenance to our drainage and irrigation most of all.”

The machinery was acquired with the use of residual funds from Phase two of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JCIA) sponsored project aimed at rehabilitating the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).

These rehabilitation works are critical as the EDWC supplies water to all the plantations and estates on the East Coast Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara. It also provides water for 80 per cent of Georgetown and without it, we would not be able to have enough water in the Capital City, according to Minister Holder.

Images: Ameer Sattaur