Supenaam Waterfront Enhancement Project nears completion
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DPI, Guyana, Monday, April 15, 2019
The $143M Supenaam Waterfront Enhancement Project is close to completion and will be another example of the current government’s policy to develop all regions of the country.
Supenaam Waterfront Project taking shape.
This project is positioned to be a significant asset to Region 2 and will benefit boat operators, vendors and commuters. District Engineer within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Saheed Mohammed is tasked with overseeing the project. In an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), he provided critical updates on the works done thus far, particularly regarding the sea defence component.
“The defence work was basically a steel sheet-pile revetment,” he explained. These sheet-piles were anchored in place by the use of anchor-piles. Due to the poor structural integrity that existed before the project, sea defence works were even more critical to the success of the project. Initially, there was a timber revetment in place that had numerous structural issues, even collapsing on many occasions. Mohammed noted the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had done several emergency works on the timber revetment, often using sandbags to prevent erosion of the embankment.
Nevertheless, many residents of Supenaam remain optimistic about the opportunities the project will provide. Speedboat Captain, Omesh Persaud said “the project is going to enhance the end here [Supenaam Stelling] … because over the years we were looking like a ghost town. This is very good for the community, the travellers… everybody is going to benefit from this.”
Additionally, vendor and speedboat operator Morris Bovell said, “the business is picking up, people coming around. They like the place. I expect we will get plenty of visitors coming, people coming from all over to see Supenaam.”
The project will feature an improved boat landing with rails, benches along the waterfront, safety rails, lighting and vending booths. The Ministry of Communities under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has injected funds into the project as well.
Shaquille Bourne.
Images: Ameer Sataur.