The rip-rap sea defence from Turkeyen to Ogle, East Coast Demerara, is being constructed at a cost of $176M and should be completed by July, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The project involving eleven hundred metres of rip-rap sea defence commenced in December 2007.
According to Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Agnes Dalrymple, the contractor is now working on the slope-protection which, along with the crest, when completed will offer added protection from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, it would provide visitors with an additional recreational facility as the entire area will be landscaped.
This year government has budgeted $2.2B for rehabilitation and improvement to sea and river defence.
GINA stated that areas identified for rehabilitation include Gangaram, Region Six; Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo; and Henrietta, Leguan Island in Region Three.
Works are also scheduled for Craig, East Bank Demerara, River View and Kartabo in the Essequibo River.
GINA said further that the European Union-funded projects under the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) saw the rehabilitation of 2.5 kilometres (km) of sea defence at Profit/Foulis, East Coast Demerara.
And the ninth EDF will finance the reconstruction of 1.4 km at Clonbrook, Corentyne and the rehabilitation of 18 KM of sea and river defence in vulnerable areas.
The maintenance of sea and river defence structures, GINA noted, is vital as 90 percent of Guyana’s population and economic activity is situated in the low coastal region which is protected by these structures.
