Public Works Ministry takes swift approach to address breaches in Mahaicony sea defence

— situation has worsened Minister Edghill

The Ministry of Public Works has announced it will be immediately addressing the reports of major sea defence breaches at the Dantzig/Mahaicony embankments, in the Mahacia-Berbice Region.

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill, today said initially there was a 200-metre breach, and because the condition was not remedied as it should over the last years; the predicament has extended over five kilometres.

During a media briefing, the Minister disclosed that as of Tuesday morning, there was an additional breach in the very same area of more than 100 metres.

The breaches of sea defence in these communities has been a prolonged issue endured by hundreds of residents, causing terrible floods, damage to properties and farmers losing millions in livestock and other investments.

Minister Edghill posited that the onus is now on the PPP/C Government to act swiftly to relief those affected residents form their burden.

“We have engaged the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and the other technical officers to arrange for emergency works to be done.”

While there is no budget implemented for 2020, the Public Works Minister is optimistic that “whatever is available outside of a Budget can be utilised to bring relief to the people.”

Meanwhile, rapid assessments were facilitated today by a team from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and Ministry of Social Services; with the latter providing temporary shelter to the displaced residents.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, on a site visit at the sea defence breach at Dantzig, Mahaicony on August 7.

On his second day, after assuming the portfolio as Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, visited the breached sea defence site at Content and Dantzig, Region Five.

Minister Indar met with representatives from the two contracting firms — BK International and AS General Contractors Incorporated. The two firms were called to quickly complete the sealing of the breach since it should have been completed over a month ago.

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