The closing date for the World Bank-funded Conser-vancy Adaptation Project (CAP) has been extended from March 31, 2013 to August 30, 2013 due to some of the works not being completed.
The original closing date was June 30, 2011. The approval for the revised closing date was made on March 22 through a formal Level II restructuring approved by the Bank’s Vice-President. “This extension would allow the completion of Component 1 – Pre-Investment Studies for Engineering Design of Works, the completion of quality assurance of the results of the studies, and the finalization of the Emergency Preparedness Plan,” the status report says.
It said that the US$3.8 million project has been disbursing well, with disbursements at 71% as of April 3. “Results of the hydrologic model have been presented and undergoing quality control and a preliminary set of investments have been identified and are under discussion,” the report said.
The report did not give many details as to the current status of the 14 indicators with the few updates given dating back to last year.
In relation to the Cunha canal on the East Bank, it said that this is to be pursued as a separate project and may be replaced by another more impactful investment. The rehabilitation of the Cunha Canal is one of the projects that will be funded through Guyana’s forests partnership with Norway and the World Bank is currently putting together the project document.
The Ministry of Agriculture has said that the CAP will finance the development of the technical foundation which will strengthen the master plan of interventions within the East Demerara Water Conser-vancy (EDWC) and lowland drainage systems, as well as specific upgrading works and operational improvements aimed at enhancing the flood control capacity of the EDWC.
Developed in 1880, the primary function of the conservancy is to store water for irrigation of sugar cane plantations, rice fields and other cash crops during periods of drought.
The northern side of the conservancy dam also protects the land between the conservancy and the sea (the coastal zone) against flooding by water from rainfall in the southern catchment area.
The conservancy was formed using the natural gravity water flow from the upper southern parts of the country and has a bearing capacity of more than 100 square miles of water.
There are 6 main flood relief structures and channels. Three are located on the conservancy’s eastern side: the Maduni, Lama (stop off) and the Lama small sluice which drain to the Mahaica River. The other three – Cunha, Land of Canaan and Kofi- drain into the Demerara River. Another structure, the Hope Canal is under construction.
