Leguan Rice farmer welcomes stelling works; says it will enhance business
By Shaquille Bourne
DPI, GUYANA, Friday May 17, 2019
Home to nearly 3000 people, Leguan is a vibrant agricultural island mainly involved in rice farming. The stelling where the ferry and other vessels land is critical to the island’s economy.
Roopchand Maraj is a one of many Leguan rice farmers. He explained the current difficulty in transporting paddy from the fields on the island to the silo on the coast. Roopchand said the derelict state of the stelling results in paddy shipments having to be divided into smaller quantities.
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson led a team of officials from his ministry to the island on Thursday and announced to residents that works on the stelling will commence next month. Roopchand welcomed the announcement.
“It guh be easy wuk fuh ahwee, and we gon get a better price. We can move the paddy direct from the field straight to the West Coast,” Roopchand explained.
Nandanie Narine is a former teacher on the island who fell on the stelling and dislocated her hand. She is keen for the improvements to commence.
“I am looking forward that the stelling is done in a proper way. I feel very hopeful. It is a long time that we have had a minister who came and listened to our concerns, and I think he has addressed them properly,” Narine said.
Another resident, Mohammed Surtan said, “I think it is gonna be a great boost for Leguan in terms of transportation because a lot of paddy plant and you [will] get the paddy [to] move over [the river].”
Minister Patterson noted that though there were some delays with the project, his ministry is moving ahead to ensure the works on the stelling move apace.
“The timber section deck would be upgraded and modified. So, that would be finished in three months, after the recommencement,” Minister Patterson told Leguan residents.
Minister Patterson assured the residents that systems are in place to oversee the efficient execution of the project. “I employed an independent consultant to overlook the works along with Transport and Harbour [Department],” the Minister explained.
When works on the stelling begin, river traffic to and from the stelling will remain continuous.
The Leguan Stelling will be completed in two phases. Phase one will entail the upgrade of the deck at the stelling. Phase two is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020 and will feature the construction of a concrete commercial area.
In 2018, the contract valued at $413M was awarded to Kalan Maraj, but was delayed, partly due to re-assessments caused by much longer test piles than the original 80-feet which was thought to be required.
Images by Marceano Narine