The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted oil services and logistics group, Ramps Logistics, from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed construction of an apartment complex – Sky House Guyana.
Ramps Logistics has applied for an environmental permit for the construction of a luxury apartment complex at Lots 37 & 39 Area ‘F’ Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.
The company in its project proposal said the US$5 million complex was inspired by the emerging oil sector in Guyana and the increasing demand for high-quality accommodation for the growing number of expatriates and young Guyanese professionals currently working and living in Georgetown. The complex will provide rooftop amenities and views of the ocean. The architecture of the building was done with a lot of emphasis on luxury given the nearby amenities and excellent location, the company said.
The apartment building will have 16 self-contained apartments (four on each floor) and 25 car parking spaces on the ground floor. There will also be a gym, pool, and green space on the rooftop. Each two-bedroom apartment will be approximately 1,200 square feet and each three-bedroom apartment will be 1,800 square feet.
The project is being financed through a bank loan.
Providing reasons for the waiving of the EIA, the environmental regulatory body said the project is not in proximity to any sensitive ecosystem. The area in which the complex is to be constructed is located just off the Railway Embankment Road, north of the Arthur Chung Conference and Giftland Mall and is a mix of residential and commercial buildings.
The EPA further justified its decision to waive the EIA by stating that the storm water runoff from the property will be removed from the site by perimeter drains. During construction, it noted that the air quality and noise impacts would be low. However, the company will have to intermittently utilise equipment to mitigate noise impacts and the generator will be equipped with silencers and mufflers.
It was stated that non-hazardous waste will be disposed of in receptacles, and then for final disposal at an approved landfill. Waste oil, the EPA said, will be removed by the company responsible for servicing construction equipment and the generator.
However, the EPA cautioned that the waiving of the EIA in no way means final approval has been given for the project and persons who wish to object to agency’s decision may lodge an appeal within thirty days of the publication of the notice.
Appeals against the EPA’s decision should be addressed to The Chairman, The Environmental Assessment Board, eabguyana21@gmail.com
During the construction phase, the 29,000 square foot apartment building will be erected within 12 months. Almost all of the construction will be a combination of steel framing and reinforced concrete, hollow concrete blocks and precast walls.
Works will start on the foundations first and proceed up to the roof level in stages. It is anticipated that 10 to 25 construction workers will be employed full time on the project during this stage.
After the roof is installed, electrical and plumbing technicians will start on the installation of cables and pipes followed by finishing and external works.
The company stressed that all measures will be in place to mitigate and reduce potential impacts associated with noise and air pollution along with waste disposal.
“Most if not all the impacts of this project will be during the pre‐construction and construction phases, these impacts and the appropriate mitigation/management measures are provided below,” the company assured.
