Hope Canal meets approval of Japan Vice Foreign Minister — as are other JICA-funded irrigation projects
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during a brief discussion with the Japanese Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Takashi Uto and team at the Northern Relief Channel at the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during a brief discussion with the Japanese Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Takashi Uto and team at the Northern Relief Channel at the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara

GUYANA’S ability to implement adaptation measures to deal with climate change were applauded by Japan’s Vice Foreign Affairs Minister, Takashi Uto, who, along with Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer, Lionel Wordsworth visited the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) last Friday.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding the Guyana Conservancy Adaptation project, which will aid in better managing and operating the conservancy, thus tackling

NDIA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth explaining works ongoing at the Hope Canal to the visiting Japanese dignitary and team
NDIA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth explaining works ongoing at the Hope Canal to the visiting Japanese dignitary and team

climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The project is being done in two phases. Under Phase One, eight excavators and two pontoons were procured, while under Phase Two, US$3.8 million was provided for the rehabilitation of six structures within the EDWC, which includes, Sarah Johanna, Nancy, Annandale, Hope, Shanks and Maduni. These works will complement the Hope Canal project, in which the Government is investing some US$15M.
According to Minister Ramsammy, the Ministry of Agriculture is currently engaging in a maintenance programme within the conservancy; and that the equipments which were procured are currently being used to safeguard the 45-mile-long dam, and on the inlets and outlets within the Conservancy Canal.

Works ongoing at the Northern Relief Channel at the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara
Works ongoing at the Northern Relief Channel at the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara

Noting the importance of the conservancy to the villages along the East Coast and East Bank Demerara, Dr. Ramsammy said: “This Conservancy has never been in the condition it is in right now; it is well maintained, and we are very proud of the works being done here with the support from the Japanese Government, the IDB and the World Bank.”
He said that under the Guyana Conservancy Adaptation project, which is supported by the World Bank, four pump stations will be constructed along the East Coast this year.
And during a visit to the Northern Relief Channel, Minister Ramsammy explained that the doors of the head regulator (a sluice system that allows water from the conservancy to enter into the relief channel) are completed, and that the next step is to break the dam, which will be done in about two weeks.
Noting however that said dam is currently being strengthened at both ends, Minister Ramsammy said: “We want to make sure that the water level in our conservancy doesn’t go below 53 GD, which is our dead space, because, if it does so, the dam integrity is affected; and we want to make sure that it doesn’t get above 57, because if it does, the dam will be compromised with overtopping.”

(GINA)

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