Gov’t to address crippling sea defenses in upcoming budget

Nearly two years after the last budget was passed in the National Assembly, the new Government will be picking up the slack from the former administration to invest into strengthening the country’s sea defenses that are in dire need of repair. This was revealed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar.

Speaking about ongoing emergency repairs at the Dantzig foreshore in Mahaicony, Minister Indar highlighted,

“in the next four months with the budget we are going to put forward, we have allocated money to do some of the more priority areas.”

This new budgetary allocation will compliment the $168Million contract that was recently awarded to M&B Construction to execute emergency works along the Mahaicony earthen embankment where there are critical breaches.

“We sole source that [contractor] because of their capacity- their proximity to mobilise to seal it quickly,” Minister Indar added.

The Minister said the Government will prioritize sealing the breaches since the effects of saltwater on agricultural lands have negatively impacted the livelihood of residents within Mahaicony.

Upon assuming office, Minister of Public Works Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister Indar visited the Mahaicony foreshore to get a first hand view of the damage caused by the incoming tide.

Minister Edghill along with a team of officials from the Sea and River Defence Department within the Public Works Ministry have engaged residents in the affected areas on the works to be done along the foreshore. BK International and A&S General Contractors are expected to swiftly conclude overdue works spanning a 500 metre section of the earthen embankment.