…rehabilitation works to cost $11M
THE breach that took place around December 4 at the Boeraserie Conservancy on the West Bank is to prompt a geotechnical probe to ascertain why it occurred, as the relevant agencies progress with works to fix it. The Ministry of Agriculture said that 50 percent of the rehabilitative works on the slip failure of the Boeraserie Conservancy Dam has been completed, and these works are being done at a cost of $11M, with an investigation into the breach being initiated.

According to a press statement by the Ministry of Agriculture, around December 4, Mr. Kamaludeen, Secretary/Superintendent, along with other personnel who were monitoring the conservancy, noticed a slip failure and immediately notified the relevant authorities prompting site visits by the Chairman, NDIA, Walter Willis; CEO (ag.), NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth and other technical personnel who made assessments and considered necessary interventions. 

Equipment has since been mobilized and works have begun. The contract was awarded to Mohan Persaud. According to the Ministry, work has been delayed because of the rains. The contractor has been advised that if works are carried out during this period, it may cause further deterioration to the dam, the release said.
According to the ministry, the cost of remedial works, which entail the construction of revetment at the Boeraserie Conservancy dam, is $11,026,000.

On Saturday, December 11, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Senior Engineers of NDIA and management of the Conservancy visited and inspected ongoing works to buttress a section of the
Boeraserie Water Conservancy Dam which experienced slip-failure on the back slope of the embankment. The ministry said that engineers are closely monitoring the situation as the end of year rains (La Nina conditions) continue.
During Minister Persaud’s inspection, he announced that a geotechnical investigation will be conducted to ascertain the reasons for the slippage of the embankment. This will also be done in other sections of the dam, the release said.