Even as the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar has ordered BK International Incorporated to repair a damaged reef at the No 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice, the company claims that it has acted within the law and reports of its involvement in an illegal act are incorrect.
BK International has been contracted to construct a rip rap sea defence at Corriverton and as a result was purchasing sand from an individual whose lands it claims are within the vicinity of the area.
Indar visited the area to get a firsthand view and assessment of the destruction left behind as a result of sand being removed. He stated that the area claimed to be owned by the resident is considered as part of the reef and therefore the resident does not have the authority to give permission for the removal of sand from it.
“To be clear, the reef falls under the remit of the Sea Defence Board of which no permission was given,” the Minister stated.
The matter is being addressed by the Sea Defence Board for remedial action, the minister stated, and he informed that BK International has been asked to cease construction of the sea defence also.
In an effort to provide some clarity, the company issued a statement yesterday saying that there appears to be some confusion over its agreement with the private individual.
“We have receipts of purchase for this material from private land which is proven by Certificate of Transport by its owner. This land is located more than 4 miles away from No.63 beach approximately 400 ft inland from the river defence and therefore not part of any coastal defense or beach structure,” the company said in the statement.
According to Indar, they have written to BK International informing them of the need to refill the areas from which sand was removed but that was not evident during his visit.
“I saw the dam was levelled up to some extent, but I am here to understand the extent of the reports that came in and the extent of the damage that was done to the sea defence at the front at the watermark,” Indar said in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.
BK International Inc pointed to its 35 years’ experience in doing sea defence projects and stated that it was aware of the risks involved in these projects and has at all times operated within the guidelines issued to it.
“Transportation of the material may have confused those who made the accusations but we have irrefutable facts that what we have done is legal and within the law. Again, we do apologize for the confusion but we would like the public to know that the reported story is incorrect,” the company asserted.
According to the DPI report, Indar has also requested from the company overseeing the work, DLN Consulting Incorporated, a report explaining what has transpired which is due today.
BK International is also required to provide a progress report on the status of the project at Corriverton and explain the source of the materials for the project.
