AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud announced, yesterday, that works on the Hope Canal project have started, given the favourable weather conditions.
According to him, excavation has begun and contracts have been awarded, but not yet signed, for the ongoing construction of structures and a bridge in the infrastructure. Speaking at a media briefing, Persaud said technical support has been secured by engaging SEMCO, a leading designing firm, the role of which will be supervisory.
SEMCO had partnered with SRKN’Gineering and Mott MacDonald, a British company of international reputation, when studies on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) flow and the entire designing were being conducted.
Persaud reiterated that there is a definite need for the Hope Canal.
The new northern relief channel, at Hope/Dochfour, also on East Coast Demerara, is expected to boost the drainage capacity of the EDWC and provide relief to Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary and other communities during periods of prolonged and heavy rainfall.
Persaud said the drainage and irrigation (D&I) capability has improved, given that the weather conditions experienced to date, which are much worse than in 2005, could have resulted in a catastrophic situation.
He said the fact that Guyana was able to stave off any disaster is reflective of the improvements in infrastructure and general investments in D&I.
According to him, works done on the EDWC, including to raise the embankments, have seen it being able to hold much more water than before.
Persaud said, before the works were done, the EDWC held less volume and, when there was excess, the sluices, at different release points, had to be opened for longer periods.
Now the huge reservoir holds 100 billion gallons of water, with a capacity of 59 Georgetown Datum (GD) and, on average, its level ranges between 50GD and 57GD.   
However, Persaud acknowledged that there is more to be done, expressly considering that Guyana’s D&I caters for 1.5 inches of rainfall at a time while the country is experiencing as much as eight inches.
He maintained that the Hope Canal, expected to be operational in 18 months time, will, definitely, enhance the capacity of the country’s D&I systems.