THE Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project is Guyana’s largest transformational venture which has presented an exceptional opportunity for many to be involved in a historic achievement.

This was the view expressed by several employees of the construction of the access road to the proposed site in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni).
Among those working towards the building of what is expected to be Guyana’s largest and most expensive project is Environmental Officer Sherilyn Innis. The University of Guyana graduate enjoys the unique position of being the only female so far employed in a traditionally male dominated position. Her responsibility covers sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the access road currently under construction.
There are challenges as they progress, she said, but these are being tackled meaningfully.
“We have some erosion issues due to the weather, some health and safety issues with workers as some of them are not accustomed to wearing safety gear and we have to explain the importance of this. We constantly monitor the quality of water in adjacent waterways such as streams and creeks and we also are dealing with wildlife fragmentation. To deal with this we clear a 10 meters gap for every 50 meters of roadway that is built to allow wildlife to transit and now we are seeing them using the gaps,” Innis said.
The 23-year-old said that while she’s the only female employed in this phase of the project, it has not been difficult due to the fact that she was in the field for practical training and experience during her classes at the University of Guyana, and as such it’s not new territory for her.
Ms Innis said that the AFHP project is one which is needed by the nation. “I think it’s a very good project and all Guyanese should support it,” she added.
For Toolsie Persaud Limited’s Camp Manager, Gerald Alvin McIntyre, it is a chance to be a part of the nation’s history and an undertaking which he described as being long overdue.
“Since I was young, we have been hearing about hydro and with all the water resources that we have it’s time we get this done. We should get our act together. It’s not a PPP project. It’s a national project, that’s why I’m here to give my contribution to the Guyanese people,” he stated.
McIntyre, with decades of experience in Guyana’s hinterland, said that the weather has affected the pace of road construction, but he is confident that the completion deadline of December 31, 2013 for the access road will be met.
“When the rain falls heavily it can delay us about two to three days, but we recently had a meeting and it was suggested that we work up to 11 pm once possible to push it through,” he noted.
Dozens of Guyanese are employed on the AFHP access road construction in various sections, and many of them hope that once completed, Guyana can have its largest hydro power plant supplying the nation with cheap, reliable and clean power.