The Sea and River Defence sector is to see the continued reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoration and maintenance of sea and river defence structures across several administrative regions, including Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten. In addition, a sum of $124 million has been budgeted for the commencement of a mangrove management project for sustainable coastal zone protection. The project’s allocation in this year’s budget, which was announced by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud at a forum last week, will be spent on institutional strengthening at the National Agricultural Research Institute, improved monitoring and rehabilitation of mangrove fields, training and public awareness. The mangrove restoration project will run for three years at a budgeted sum of $1.2 billion.
Meanwhile, in the air and transport sectors, $235 million is to be spent on completion works to the runway at the Ogle Aerodrome, with $50 million to be spent on further modernisation of air traffic control equipment at the aerodrome.
A sum of $30 million was provided in last year’s budget for this purpose. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh stated that on completion of the airport, scheduled for August this year, the aerodrome will be capable of receiving Dash-8 type aircraft, currently operated by regional airline LIAT.
Construction works at the Leguan and Wakenaam airstrips will be augmented by a further $149.9 million. Singh said work on the latter has started. In last year’s budget, a sum of $184 million was set aside for construction of the two Essequibo Islands airstrips, projects which residents there told Stabroek News would be of no benefit to them. The budgeted sum in this year’s budget will also be spent on rehabilitation works to the Kamarang airstrip and maintenance of other domestic airstrips across the country.
In the area of river transport, some $149.5 million is to be spent on the modification and extension of the Parika and Supenaam stellings, as the administration plans to enhance ferry services across the major rivers and to outlying areas countrywide.
The budgeted sum will facilitate the mooring of the roll on/roll off of ferry vessels which are currently in the design stage. They are expected to arrive in Guyana next year. Last year, the administration announced that a Chinese company has been tasked with constructing and delivering two vessels, which will enhance river transport along the Essequibo River.
Rehabilitation works to the Georgetown, Leguan and Bartica stellings, the Kumaka wharf and the Kingston Lighthouse will also benefit from the budgeted sum for the sector in this year’s budget. In addition, a sum of $342 million has been budgeted to cater for docking and rehabilitation of the dredge vessel Steve N, the Split Barge, the MB Baramani, and the MV Malali as well as for the acquisition of spares and navigational aids.
