CO-CHAIRMAN of CGX Energy Inc., Professor Suresh Narine, yesterday handed over a $1.5 million cheque to Gaico Construction Inc., for the de-silting of two most critical canals in New Market Street, between Waterloo and Thomas Streets, Georgetown.The project, which will be supervised by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, also includes the de-silting of small canals and road side drains in Main and Middle Streets, and Cummings and Lamaha Streets, and caters for a six-month maintenance period of the two waterways identified for cleaning.
During a simple handing over ceremony, at the CGX office in New Market Street, Dr Narine explained that it was observed that New Market Street, along its entire length seems to flood very easily, when compared with other surrounding streets. This street floods the fastest and takes a long time to drain.
“Our headquarters is here and with many other private companies, along with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), so when this happens it not only inconveniences us directly, but all the people who reside or do business on the street, so we decided to get the ball rolling and we contacted Gaico Construction Inc., and Marine Engineering and had a little study done on what could be done on immediately eliminating this problem,” Professor Narine pointed out.
He noted that New Market Street has a series of major canals that are located in the middle of the block; one between Waterloo and Camp, and another between Camp and Thomas Streets, which drain into the canal parallel to Lamaha Street. These canals, he said, are entirely silted.
Narine is calling on the energy company’s corporate partners and neighbours who reside along the street, to get onboard with this initiative because “collectively if we begin to act in this fashion, and under the direction of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, we can start to address the significant problem that the country has.”
He added that it is very difficult for the Government alone to address the enormity of the drainage issues in Guyana, and that it is very important that corporate companies assist in this regard. CGX employees will also participate in the cleaning aspect of the project.
Walter Willis, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, noted that the Ministry is always supportive of stakeholders who are willing to contribute to the enhancement of the city’s drainage.
Currently, Guyana is confronted with May/June rains which cause flooding of low lying areas within the city and across the country. Willis explained that the lowest areas will always flood first and will drain last. However, it is heartening that CGX has undertaken this critical area.
He further explained that the Ministry has also published bids for works to be done on the de-silting of the Lamaha Street outfall, the tunnel under Transport and Harbours Department leading up to the sluice, and for the enhancement of Lamaha Street.
