THE Cunha Canal, which will bolster the operations of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel, remains on the table, and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy disclosed that it is now an approved Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) project.

The Cunha Canal Rehabilitation Project is also intended to improve relief drainage in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) that is envisaged to reduce Guyana’s vulnerability to the catastrophic flooding of its low-lying coastal areas.
“As part of GRIF, the project has been approved,” he said, in an invited comment, noting that GRIF’s partners include Norway and the World Bank, which is the trustee of the GRIFF monies.
According to him, in addition to financing, a second hurdle to the project has also been crossed, that of reaching an agreement with Barama Company Limited.
In the 1990’s, the Cunha Canal was filled to accommodate the Barama office, a move that has been dubbed a “strategic mistake” by the Agriculture Minister, since it created a major problem for residents in the areas that were once drained by the Cunha.
The company, Dr. Ramsammy said, has agreed to facilitate any work necessary for the resuscitation of the Canal.
The Agriculture Minister noted that he is hopeful that when funding is allocated for the project in the 2015 Budget, it will gain the support of the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC).
“The Opposition made Cunha a victim of budget cuts,” he said, referring to the monies slashed from the 2013 and 2012 national budget.
“I hope when this money shows up in the 2015 budget again, that responsible politicians will allow it through,” Dr. Ramsammy said.
The proposed physical works for the Cunha Canal will include the widening of the canal, the rehabilitation of the former outlet structure, rerouting the canal to re-establish its original alignment and construction of a bridge on the East Bank of Demerara Public Road, where the canal intercepts the road. Rehabilitation of the Canal will increase its discharge capacity and contribute to reducing the risks of the embankment overtopping and flooding of areas along the East Bank of the Demerara.
The Agriculture Minister stated that the completed Cunha Canal will improve drainage on the East Bank of Demerara, and will also benefit residents in Badrima, Laluni and Kuru Kururu – all villages in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
The Cunha Canal Rehabilitation Project is a part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) adaptation initiatives. This project is an important intervention addressing the focus area of adapting to climate change. The works will improve the ability of the Government of Guyana to manage water resources in the East Demerara Water Conservancy.
The Project Concept Note (PCN) for the project was approved by the GRIF Steering Committee in June of 2012, laying the preparatory work for the development of the full project document and subsequent implementation of the project. Following the approval of the PCN, the World Bank, which is the partner entity for this project, conducted two missions to Guyana in July and November 2012, to review the proposed project activities and costs; implementation arrangements; results indicators; procurement and financial management arrangements; safeguards; and technical aspects, with a view to preparing and completing the full project document.
The World Bank estimates the total project cost at US$2.5M.

(Vanessa Narine)