New Supenaam Terminal to bring relief to commuters and boat operators
─ installation of seating and sanitary facilities
─ organised vending spaces with standardised shops and seating provisions
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Boat operators and commuters alike within Region Two will soon benefit from the construction of a boat landing and passenger waiting at Supenaam, on the Essequibo River.
The Terminal Project will see the construction of a stelling with the capacity to moor a large number of boats. It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) and the regional administration, which will see the ministry providing technical recommendations as well as guidance to ensure that the work is properly executed.
To date, over $123M has been identified for the project, of which $89M will be provided by the ministry and the remaining $34M by the administration undertaken. Construction will be done by Samaroo’s Investment.
In 2018, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan had said that the initiative will have features of a “green space”, in keeping with the government’s commitment to the Green Agenda.
“The Ministry of Communities is committed to building cohesive, empowered, sustainable communities and to support the strengthening of local organs and the capital towns agenda through initiatives such as this project,” the minister had said.
Once completed, the project will be managed jointly by the RDC and Good Hope-Pomona NDC. Facilities operations at the site will provide revenue for the NDC.
In April 2018, consultations were held by the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Communities which also involved the RDC, the Good Hope-Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), residents, taxi operators and speed boat operators, among others. The second round of consultation was held in May 2018.
The project is slated to have flood and erosion protection structure in critical sections and the implementation of infrastructural, architectural and landscaping enhancements through a contemporary spatial layout to improve the recreational experience.
Under the project, areas set to be completed are; the rehabilitation and upgrade to 80 metres of the existing main road at Supenaam Water Front, construction of a new 75 metres anchored steel sheet pile revetment and rehabilitation to existing SSP revetment and paved waterfront promenade with rails and shaded public seating.
It will also include organised vending spaces with standardised shops and seating provisions to be managed through RDC/NDC, seating and sanitary facilities, improvement of amenities and facilities for waiting passengers and parking spaces among other.
By Neola Damon.