The long overdue rehabilitation of the MV Malali is now set to take place, as cabinet has given its “no objection” to $87.8 million for the docking and repairing of the vessel.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon announced yesterday that cabinet gave the go ahead on Tuesday. The vessel runs from Parika to Wakenaam/Adventure.
Luncheon said that the docking of the vessel is likely to take place before the end of the year, and that the Public Works Ministry will be looking to implement alternative means of transportation while the vessel is undergoing repairs.
During the consideration of the 2010 Estimates of Expenditure by the Committee of Supply in February, Works Minister Robeson Benn told the House that regarding expenditure for the MV Malali $60M had been set aside for docking/rehabilitation and $40M for the acquisition of spares.
Meanwhile, Luncheon also announced that Cabinet has given the go ahead for the award of $24.6 million to be used for the construction of roads at Block R, in Sophia. This project will take place under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Water.
Cabinet also gave its no objection to $79 million and $28.6 million respectively for the procurement of earth moving vessels for the Public Works Ministry. The first set of money is for the procurement of hydraulic excavators and the $28.6 million is for the procurement of tractors and trailers. For the Ministry of Agriculture, Cabinet gave its no objection for $16 million to be used to acquire a reconditioned long-reach hydraulic excavator to aid in drainage and irrigation work.
Luncheon said that Cabinet also gave the go ahead for $17.4 million for the delivery of joinery equipment for the technical vocational arm of the education sector.
