The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) on Tuesday commissioned the rehabilitated Fort Island Stelling.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) report on the commissioning noted that the works, which cost $82 million, represented the fulfilment of a commitment made by the Ministry of Public Works in 2021.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill stated that Fort Island, located in the Essequibo River, was urgently in need of the stelling since it is a tourist destination. “In delivering this stelling, we are delivering new hope, new opportunities and the possibilities for a thriving economically buoyant Fort Island. If you have more people visiting than living there, the people of this island must be able to utilize that opportunity to their economic advantage,’’ he was quoted as saying.
“This is evidence that we want to integrate back in a manner that allows people to make their daily living, that is what the stelling is about. It is not about the $82 million. It is about making sure Fort Island is not cut off,’’ Junior Public Works Minister Deodat Indar added.
The DPI report noted that the contract to rehabilitate the stelling was awarded to IB Contracting and Machinery Services on August 18, 2021 and the works were completed on March 17, 2022. Eric Morris, a civil engineer at the ministry, supervised the work, it added.
The report also said that the stelling features a passenger walkway, a lavatory and is solar powered. Boats travelling from Georgetown to Bartica will make stops at the island on Saturdays and Sundays. However, brief stops during the week can be facilitated. Private vessels which dock at the island will pay a loading fee.
It added that through the T&HD, an online booking service will be implemented by September 1. “The modernised feature will provide citizens with the access to book, pay and reserve their seats on a vessel. This aims to monitor the number of bookings being made, which will result in [a] reduction of persons overnighting at the stelling,” it explained.
Meanwhile, the report said Edghill, announced that following a meeting with President Irfaan Ali the island will receive a golf cart to assist in transporting frail, vulnerable and elderly persons.
