Sea defence works underway at 33 sites countrywide
THE ongoing works at Kitty Seawall in Georgetown, which entail the placement of boulders to help break the force of waves, particularly during Spring tides, are among the projects being funded through the Ninth European Development Fund (EDF). The programme components spawn the physical, which is the actual execution; supervisory and technical assistance for capacity building in the Sea Defence and Supply Division, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Mr. Jeffrey Vaughn explained yesterday.
He said, in a telephone interview, that the undertakings are at 33 sites, located in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) Four (Demerara/Mahaica ), Five (Mahaica/Berbice ) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).
Vaughn said the jobs in all the regions, except Region Five, entail the rehabilitation and reconstruction of sea defence. In Region Five, the contract is for the regeneration of mangroves.
Executing the Ninth EDF projects contract, worth 13.5 million euros, which was awarded to BK Group of Companies, commenced on November 22,  2009 and has a 23 months completion deadline.
It is being supervised by the French company,Egis DCEOM International, with former Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Mr. George Howard as Team Leader.
Vaughn said, so far, construction of rip rap design sea defences, with rock faces, has been ongoing at  Springlands, Corentyne and Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara.
At Springlands, where 200 metres are to be done, approximately 70 per cent has been completed while Clonbrook is between 30 and 40 per cent complete, but, overall, both are somewhat behind schedule.
The Greenwich Park job is due to commence shortly but surveying has been done at all the remaining locations to facilitate the start, Vaughn said.
He reported that the regeneration of mangroves is now being financed by both the Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU) and is called the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project.
It seeks to encourage the process as the first line of sea defence, taking into consideration this country’s vulnerability to the rising sea levels.
For that purpose, a multi-stakeholder committee, headed by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), has been established to conduct sensitisation programmes countrywide.
Consultations, which are to be held in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six, are aimed at giving the committee a clear view of residents’ understanding as it relates to the mangroves and their  preservation, Vaughn said.
He said the committee is expected to compile documentation, at the end of the exercise, for presentation to Cabinet, for adoption