Misuse of the reserve by irresponsible individuals is weakening sea and river defence structures, says Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Agnes Dalrymple.
During a visit Tuesday to Region Three to inspect works recently completed and others still in progress, Dalrymple observed that some residents were engaged in activities on the reserve that were of concern to the Ministry of Public Works, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Persons were engaged in boat building and in one instance a ship was anchored on the seashore and tied to the mangrove trees.
Dalrymple said these activities result in the erosion of the sea defence reserve since they destroy the natural vegetation which subsequently leads to the weakening of the sea defences.
The Sea and River Defence Board, she said, had already warned several individuals about engaging in activities of a similar nature on the sea defences. The Board had also requested the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to assist in policing these structures and to inform them whenever persons are found engaging in activities that could endanger the sea and river defences.
However, Dalrymple expressed satisfaction with the works that were in progress in the region, and observed that the rip-rap work at Crane, West Coast Demerara, was 60 percent complete.
Commenting on the work at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo and Hague, West Coast Demerara, she said that based on the rate of progress they both will be completed by year-end.