Phase one of Supenaam stelling modification completed
TRANSPORT and Harbours Department  (T&HD) employees, working in conjunction with others from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), have completed phase one of the Supenaam stelling modification on the Essequibo Coast. The joint works are to correct identified defects on the multi-million dollar structure which have rendered it inoperable, so far.
The project entailed repairs to the power/reserve end of the ramp, T&HD General Manager, Mr. Khevin Trim told the Guyana Chronicle, in a telephone interview yesterday.
He said the workmen will next move to phase two, to rectify faults found with the pontoons on which the drawbridge rests.
But Trim was not in a position to say how soon the remaining tasks will be completed.
He said there is need to re-adjust measures which were put in place earlier to facilitate drydocking for the m.v. Malali after bottlenecks surfaced  and that job  is being closely monitored. 
Residents on Essequibo Coast, particularly farmers and businessmen are waiting anxiously to be able to use the new terminal, which would greatly reduce the almost four hours sailing time it, currently, takes to arrive at the Adventure stelling from Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
The pier, which was designed by SNC Lavelin, was constructed by BK International, under supervision by Vikab Engineering. It was handed over to T&HD in January 2010 and operations at Adventure ceased in May that year.
However, the ferry service was forced to return to Adventure, four days later, when problems developed after the ramp at Supenaam buckled under the weight of vehicles.
The Ministry of Public Works tried to help remedy the fault but its efforts at installing an additional pontoon failed when the pontoon sank.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was mandated, by President Bharrat  Jagdeo, to conduct an investigation to determine who was culpable, but the result of that inquiry was not made public.
BK International has maintained that the terminal was built to specifications and a Certificate of Completion was issued but the Works Ministry claimed it had flaws when it  was taken over.
With no one found culpable, up to now, the modification is being handled by the government.