Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud says $150,000 will be expended on upgrading Jeep Landing, Berbice River.
Persaud told Kwakwani residents on Saturday that over the last three weeks forestry operations have been hampered as a result of the overtopping of the river and it has prompted the need for a temporary solution. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Kwakwani’s loggers believe that upgrading the area is the best solution to their plight.
It was noted too that Kwakwani is perennially threatened by the rising river which affects housing, agriculture and cuts off and limits access to heavy and large vehicles. Flooding also has adverse effects on the community’s two major economic activities: logging and farming.
“The primary concern to me is the disruption of forestry operations and the loss of income and the socioeconomic difficulties that this situation can create. We also recognise too, that the situation will not abate in a week or two but it’s one that will perhaps last for two months,” Persaud said.
A participant at the meeting, Tom, who was one of the key players in deriving the solution to the problem, indicated that he is pleased with the ministry’s intervention and is positive that upgrading the landing using white sand will be successful.
GINA said Assistant Commissioner of Forests Gavin Agard; Chairperson of the Upper Berbice Forest and Agriculture Producers Association Charles Tom; Personnel Manager for RUSAL Leroy Saul; Health, Safety and Environment Manager for RUSAL Dennis Lelonde and ministry officials also attended the meeting.
