* Planting of 50,000 mangrove seedlings in the mangroves restoration and replanting programme as a soft intervention
The constant threat of the sea to already vulnerable coastlands has to be countered with new and emerging technologies for the sustainability of the structural integrity of the related infrastructures, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said during his Budget presentation on Monday.He disclosed that, the sum of $1.7 billion was disbursed for the improvement of sea and river defence infrastructure in 2013, and Government had simultaneously promoted experimental soft and hard interventions in the sea defences.
Under these piloted interventions, he said, bamboo brushwood dams, iron bamboo fences and rubber mound groynes were constructed to protect young mangrove seedlings from destruction and to promote mangrove restoration.
He disclosed that the sum of $1.9 billion is budgeted in 2014 to ensure the further strengthening of the sea and river defence infrastructure.
This expenditure will facilitate critical works from Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) to Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) as well as the mangrove restoration and replanting programme with the planting of 50,000 mangrove seedlings and spartina grassing in selected areas.
The allocation will also facilitate the construction of Geotextile breakwater structures and the hydrological restoration of Wellington Park mangrove site.
Dr Singh also disclosed that government intends to spend more than US$65 million over the next five years in infrastructural works and coastal zone management systems, which will benefit almost 90 percent the population.
These interventions will include construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 80 kilometres of sea and river defence infrastructures and the implementation of an integrated shore zone management system that will enhance resilience to coastal and riverine hazards, he said.
By Clifford Stanley