The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the ship repair and dry-docking facility operated by Guyana Port Inc at Supply, East Bank Demerara requires no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
In a notice published in yesterday’s Sunday Chronicle, the EPA said that having screened the project in the name of Pritipaul Singh Jr it concluded that it will not significantly affect the environment and is therefore exempt from the requirement of an EIA.
However, it was pointed out that this decision is in no way an indication that the project situated at Lot 12 Support, EBD is approved.
It would appear that the facility was set up before an application for an environmental permit was approved.
Justifying the decision to waive the EIA, the environmental agency said the proposed project has environmental safeguards and embedded controls to address impacts during construction and operation.
The EPA said that persons who may be affected by the operations of the project are free to lodge an appeal within 30 days against the decision to waive the requirement for the EIA. Notices of appeal can be sent to The Chairman, the Environmental Assessment Board via email eabguyana21@gmail.com.
However, while the agency stated that a summary of the project is available online and provided a link, it could not be found yesterday by SN as the link is inactive. The latest uploads on the EPA’s website are a project summary for the Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast Gas Station and a proposal for a gas station at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
According to information found on the website, Guyana Port Inc, was established in 2019 after an assessment of the gap in the current needs of the market.
The facility which operates on the Demerara River is strategically located 16 km from the mouth of the Demerara River and is equipped with the only 2000-metric tonnes floating drydock in the country. The dock measures 80 metres in length, 16 metres in breadth and can accommodate vessels with an even keel of 3 metres, the website states.
“The strategic location allows clients to benefit from an already established shipping route into and out of the country thus enjoying reduced time vessels are in and out of service. Additionally, with GPI’s considerable steel reserves it enables the company to manage major and minor emergency repair projects swiftly,” the website states.
GPI offers a full range of general repair services including engineering, electrical, propulsion, accommodation upgrades, marine fitting, sand blasting and painting as well as outsourced procurement, testing, trials and class surveys and much more.
The company which is 100% Guyanese owned currently employs approximately 100 workers.
“At our facility quality and efficiency are of paramount importance ensuring each of our clients are fully satisfied with the execution of every project. Moreover, safety is a key factor in every step of our operation. Here at GPI, our employees are our finest assets and as a result we commit to ensuring all industry practices are met and all company safety protocols are followed at all times,” the company website states.
It added that with the newly introduced oil and gas industry and Guyana’s current maritime industry, GPI anticipates an even greater demand for ship repair services and maintenance as new vessels servicing the industry continue to traverse our waters.
