$545M being spent on Essequibo Coast sea defences
MINISTER of Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn has announced that Government is spending $545M to construct new sea defence structures on Essequibo Coast this year.
He said work is ongoing at Maria’s Lodge and Belfield to build 350 metres of the rip-rap type, with 25 per cent of it completed by BK international Inc. Benn said another contractor, Samaroo Investment is currently mobilising to do 280 metres of the same at Aurora and 250 metres more will be done at Hampton Court.
According to the minister, tenders will soon be put out for the construction of 150 metres at Makeshift Village.
He also reported that 41 metres were done at Aurora, 1,150 metres at Onderneeming and 300 metres at Johanna Cecelia.
Benn said, at Zorg, which was very vulnerable, 425 metres were finished, at a cost of millions of dollars, the project is 55 percent completed.
At Lima, construction on 410 metres was accomplished and, at Hampton Court, a stretch of 376 metres is 80 per cent done.
He said 56 metres were reinforced with concrete capping and 320 metres similarly done with concrete encasement.
At Devonshire Castle, 515 metres of new structures were built and at Walton Hall, concrete repairs and joint sealant replacement were done on 760 metres.
At Eliza construction is 75 percent finished on 650 metres, Benn also related.
Every year, the Government is spending large sums to construct new and rehabilitate existing sea defences, in order to protect residential and farming areas, along the coastline, from the Atlantic Ocean.